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Division... 
Section^.. 
No, 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2011  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://www.archive.org/details/divinecovenantfuOOhugh 

I 


Kev.  Samutl  Lawrence.         Rev.  I)aiii<.l  L.  Huslits.  I).  1).         Hon.  (leo.  M.  J'.Ulrcdgc. 


Mrs.  I'tlinira  I".  Rock  Mr,    !  luir  ,    \V    Husihes.  O.  Taylor  Rock. 


Mrs    r.ouisa  Kituiev.  Mrs.  Anna   L    Harrington  C".  « ).  Harringlou. 


I,.  \V    Kinney. 


Renl>et\   l-"ostcr. 


Mrs.  Saiah   I,,  f-'ostcr. 


'THE    REr'RKSiiX'r^'riVE    GKOUF^." 


THE 


DIVINE  COVENANT  FULFILLED 


IN  THE 


ANCESTRAL  FAMILY  HISTORY 


OF    THE 


^.AWREp-HUGHES  JINDElDPGE 


GENERATIONS 


OF 


CAPE  IVEAY  COUN'TY,   NEW  JERSEY, 


Rev.  Daniel  Lawrence  Hughes,  D,  D,, 


PETERSBUROH,  PA. 


I  will  be  a  God,  unto  thee  and   to  thy  seed  after  thee,"— Gen.  17:7. 
The  pronnise  is  unto  you,  and  to  your  children  " — Acts  2:39. 


d.  L.  LANDIS,  Book  AND  Job  Printer, 

CAPE    MAY   CITY,    N.    J. 


INDEX 

TO  THE  FOLLOWING  FAMILY  SKETCHES. 


PAGE 


Frontispiece  Group  (Portraits)     -             -  -             -             2 

Preface,             -             -             -             -             -  -             -7 

Rev.  Daniel  Lawrence  and  Family,              .  _             _       g-io 

Rev^  Samuel  Lawrence  and  Family,                  -  -              11-18 

Jacob  Hughes  and  Family,               _     .         _  .             >      18-20 

The  Eldredge  Group  (Portraits)        -             -  -             -     21 

Jeremiah  Eldredge  and  Family,      -              -  _             _     21-24 

Aaron  Eldredge  and  Family,                 -             -  -             -     25 

Joseph  Eldredge  and  Family,          -             -  -             -           26 

Capt.  William  Eldredge  and  Family,   -              -  -             27-28 

Stilvvell  Eldredge  and  Family,        -             _  -             _     ^9-33 

Hon.  George  M.  Eldredge  and  Family,            -  -            34-35 

Ephraim  Eldredge  and  Family,       -             -      .  -             -     35-37 

James  Rainy  Hughes  Group  (  Portraits)          -  -            -     38 

James  R.  Hughes  and  Family,        -             -  -             -     38-85 

Rev.  James  M.  Edmonds,         -              .             _  .             86-90 

Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  (Cut)  -            -     91-94 

Rev.  Daniel  L   Hughes,  D.D.,               -             -  -           95-108 

Relatives  of  Mrs.  Elmira  W.  Hughes,         -  -               109-117 
Elmira  W.  Hughes,      -----         1 17-140 

Residence  of  Rev.  D.  L.  and  K.  W.  Hughes,  -  -  141 
Children  of  Rev.  Daniel  L,  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  -  142-160 
Conclusion,               _--.__          jgi 


DBDICATION. 

First,  to  my  own  beloved  children  and  grandchildren  ;  and 
second,  to  all  "  my  kinsmen  according  to  the  flesh," — hoping  and 
praying  that  it  may  stimulate  and  encourage  them  and  all  their 
generations  followed  to  lead  a  godly  life  in  Christ  Jesus,  worthy  of 
their  pious  ancestors,  and  to  the  glory  of  the  triune  Jehovah — is 
this  volume  affectionately  dedicated, 

By  the 

AUTHOR. 


This  book  is  not  a  novel — fiction — romance,  designed  merely  to 
interest  and  please.  It  is  a  reality,  lull  of  figures  and  facts  to 
instruct,  profit  and  bless,  as  well  as  to  interest  its  readers. 

It  was  originally  designed  as  a  biography  of  the  author  and  his 
family  for  their  more  special  benefit;  but  was  afterwards  enlarged 
to  embrace  more  of  their  ancestors  and  relatives,  hoping  that  it 
would  be,  thereby,  more  satisfactory  and  useful.  It  now  embraces 
a  THESAURUS  of  Family  Genealogies,  both  near  and  remote,  and 
will  be  reliable  as  a  book  of  reference  to  all  the  relatives  included 
therein.  If  some  families  are  more  fully  recorded  than  others,  it  is 
because  larger  information  was  sent  to  the  author  in  answer  to  his 
inquiries.  The  facts  in  tjiis  book  are  as  accurate  as  it  is  possible 
for  them  to  be.  They  are  drawn  not  only  from  memory  and  from 
oral  or  traditional  history,  but  especially  from  fami  y  Bibles,  tomb- 
stone inscriptions  and  published  records.  The  author  has  also 
introduced,  in  this  age  of  science,  the  photographic  art  to  help 
render  the  historical  sketches  the  more  interesting  and  satisfactory. 

The  FRONTISPIECE  GROUP  of  photographs  on  page  two,  is  designed 
to  represent  four  families,  whose  histories  are  sketched.  .  Rev. 
Samuel  Lawrence,  of  Lewistown,  Pa.,  represents  the  Lawrences  ; 
Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes,  D.  D.,  of  Petersburg,  Pa.,  represents  the 
Hughes  family  ;  Hon.  George  M.  Eldredge,  of  Abbeville,  Louisiana, 
represents  the  Eklredges,  and  Mr.  Reuben  Foster  of  Baltimor.\ 
r.Iaryland,  represents  the  Fosters.  The  second  group  of 
photographs,  on  page  21,  under  the  pictures  of  Mrs.  Sarah  D. 
Lawrence,  ihe  wife  ot  Rev.  Samuel  Lawrence,  and  their  eldest 
son,  Samuel  F.  Lawrence — is  called  the  Eldredge  group,  illustrat- 
ing the  most  of  the  families  of  the  author's  uncles  by  their  children. 
The  third  group  of  photographs,  on  page  38,  is  called  the  James 
Rainy  Hughes  GROUP,  including  the  portraits  of  the  author's  parents 
and  the  most  of  their  children.  An  accurate  engraving  of  the  old 
Brick  Church,  at  Cold  Spring,  and  its  beautiful  cemetery  where 
the  most  of  our  ancestors  and  relat.ves  lie  buried  until  the  resur- 
rection morning,  will  be  found  on  page  91,  and  another  one,  also, 
of  the  late  residence  of  the  author  and  his  fami  y,  in  Traer,  Tama 
Count)',  Iowa,  will  be  found  on  page  141 — all  which,  it  is  believed, 
will  increase  both  the  value  and  the  interest  of  the  book. 


The  author  hopes  that  the  readers  of  this  volume  will  exercise 
clemency  towards  him.  First,  because  its  history  is  so  much  of  a 
personal  matter  that  he  may  have  unwittingly  erred  in  presenting 
its  details  with  an  overweening  partiality.  Second,  because  while 
it  has  coet  him  a  great  deal  of  time,  research  and  care,  it  has  been 
prepared  amidst  his  constant  pulpit  and  pastoral  work,  and  in 
feeble  health,  besides  many  outside  labors,  necessarily  rendering  the 
volume  imperfect.  Rut  it  has  been  his  heart's  desire  and  prayer  to 
God  that  the  book  may  bring  honor  to  his  Master,  and  be  encour- 
aging and  helpful  to  the  |)resent  and  future  generations  of  all  those 
who  read  it.  God's  promises  are,  ''  The  mercy  of  the  Lord  is  from 
everlasting  to  everlasting  upon  them  that  fear  him,  and  his  right- 
eousness unto  children's  children,  to  such  as  keep  his  covenant, 
and  to  those  that  remember  his  commandments  to  do  them."  Psalms 
103:17,18.  The  author  is  not  anxious  for  his  relatives  to  possess 
earthly  wealth,  honor  or  pleasure  ;  but  his  soul  longs  for  them  to 
be  wholly  the  Lord's — in  person,  family  and  estate — to  be  conse- 
crated to  Him,  in  their  entire  being  and  ini^uence.  So  that  for  them 
to  live  it  shall  be  Christ,  that  the  advancement  of  His  kingdom  and 
glory  shall  be  the  ruling  motive  of  their  hearts  and  lives,  and  then 
for  them  to  die  it  shall  be  gain.  To  aid  in  this,  or  to  help  intensify 
it,  is  the  object  and  inspiration  of  these  sketches.  And  he  has  been 
encouraged  in  preparing  them  also  by  looking  at  the  past  as  well 
as  at  the  future,  and  weaving  into  it  a  brief  history  of  the  godly 
lives  of  our  ancestors — as  an  unbroken  family  in  their  Christian 
character  and  influence. 

"  Let  children  hear  the  mighty  deeds, 

Wliich  God  performed  of  old, 
Which  in  our  younger  years  we  saw. 

And  which  our  fathers  told. 
He  bids  us  make  his  glories  known, 

His  works  of  power  and  grace, 
And  we'll  convey  his  wonders  down, 

Through  every  rising  race. 

Our  lips  shall  tell  them  to  our  sons, 

And  they  again  to  theirs. 
That  generations  yet  unborn, 

May  teach  them  to  their  heirs. 
Thus  shall  they  learn  in  God  alone 

Their  hope  securely  stands, 
That  they  may  ne'er  forget  his  works. 

But  practice  his  commands." 

DANIEL  LAWRENCE  HUGHES. 


ANCESTRAL  HISTORY. 


•t-^t^'^*^^' 


\» 


N  entering  upon  this  genealogical  and  historical  outline  of  my 
cv^  Ancestors  and  Relatives,  I  shall  present  three  distinct  families. 
^   The  Lawrence  familv. 

The  Hughes  family. 

The  Eldredge  family. 

They  will  be  considered  in  the  following  particulars. 

I.  On  the  Lawrence  side  of  my  great  grand  parents.  2.  On 
the  Hughes  side  of  my  great  grand  parents.  3.  Of  my  grand 
parents  on  my  father's  side,  and  his  brothers  and  sisters.  4.  Of 
my  great  grand  parents  and  my  grand  parents  on  my  mother's 
SIDE,  and  her  brothers.  5.  My  parents'  children.  6.  My  own 
CHILDREN  and  their  families. 

REV.  DANIEL  LAWRENCE. 

My  great  grand  parents,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Lawrence  and  his 
Avife  Sarah  Lawrence,  had  two  children — My  grandmother,  Ann 
Lawrence,  father's  mother,  who  married  Jacob  Hughes,  of  Cape 
May;  and  her  brother,  Daniel  Lawrence,  father  of  Rev.  Samuel 
Lawrence.  I  do  not  know  the  occupation  of  Daniel  Lawrence, 
nor  whom  he  married,  nor  where  he  resided,  but  I  suppose  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

My  great  grandfather,  the  Rev.  Daniel  Lawrence,  was  born 
on  Long  Island,  in  17 18,  and  died  at  Cape  May,  New  Jersey,  April 
14,  1766,  in  the  48th  year  of  his  age.  Heat  first  learned  the  trade 
of  a  blacksmith,  but  afterwards  received  an  education  for  the  minis- 
try at  the  celebrated  "  Log  College,"  in  Bucks  County,  Pa.,  estab- 
lished in   1726,  by  the  memorable  Rev.  William  Tennet,  Sr.     His 


10. 

college  was  the  first  literary  institution  for  the  training  of  young 
men  for  the  ministry  west  of  the  Hudson  River.  It  was  the  germ 
of  Princeton  College,  and  was  remarkably  useful  in  educating  many 
eminently  godly,  talented  and  devoted  ministers,  such  as  Samuel 
Finley,  William  Robinson  and  others,  in  the  early  part  of  our 
history.  After  completing  his  college  course,  Mr  Lawrence  was 
taken  on  trial  by  the  New  Brunswick  Presbytery,  on  September 
II,  1744,  and  was  licensed  at  Philadelphia,  May  28,  1^5.  In  the 
Fall,  Newton  and  Bensalem  congregations,  Bucks  County,  Pa., 
asked  for  his  ministerial  labors.  So  did  Upper  and  Lower  Beth- 
lehem, Hopewell  and  Maidenhead.  At  the  request  of  the  church 
members  of  the  Forks  of  the  Delaware,  he  was  sent.  May  24,  1746, 
to  supply  them  for  a  year  with  a  view  to  settlement,  and  in  Oc- 
tober a  call  was  presented  to  him.  He  was  ordained  April  2,  1^7, 
and  installed  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  June  following.  The  Forks, 
North  and  West,  had  been  favored  with  a  portion  of  Brainerd's 
labors,  and  were  by  no  means  an  unpromising  field,  having  many 
excellent  and  pious  families.  But  it  was  a  laborious  field,  a  wide 
tract  of  fifteen  miles  lying  between  the  two  meeting  houses.  Mr. 
Lawrence  was  not  robust,  and  for  his  health  he  was  directed  to 
spend  the  Winter  and  Spring  at  Cape  May.  In  the  year  1752,  the 
church  here  gave  him  a  call  to  become  its  pastor,  and  his  health 
still  continuing  feeble,  he  accepted  their  call,  was  dismissed  from 
his  former  charge,  removed  to  Cape  May,  began  his  labors  there  in 
1752,  and  after  a  long  delay  was  installed  June  20,  1754,  by  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  Revs.  Hunter,  Chestnut  and  Beatty.  It  is 
said,  that  on  account  of  his  ill  health,  Mr.  Lawrence  had,  in  preach- 
ing, to  speak  low,  slow  and  short.  He  was  a  pious  and  faithful 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  after  fourteen  years  of  useful  labors  he 
died  and  was  buried  among  his  people  in  the  Cold  Spring  grave- 
yard. On  his  tombstone  is  the  following  appropriate  and  affecting 
verse  : — 

In  yonder  sacred  house  I  spent  my  breath, 
Now  silent,  mouldering  here  I  lie  in  death  . 
Those  silent  lips  shnll  wake  and  yet  declare, 
A  dread  amen  to  truths,  they  punished  thete. 

My  GREAT  GRANDMOTHER,  Sarah  Lawrence,  was  born  in   1723, 
died  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  and  was  buried  there  in  the  Cold  Spring 


11. 

grave  yard  by  the  side  of  her  husband.  The  inscription  on  her 
tombstone  is  very  brief.  It  is  simply,  "Mrs.  Sarah  Lawrence,  died 
January  20,  1768,  age  45  years."  She,  however,  lived  for  the  Lord, 
died  in  the  Lord  and  is  now  forever  with  the  Lord.  She  rests  from 
her  labors  and  her  works  do  follow  her. 

Rev.  Samuel  Lawrence,  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  and  Sarah 
Lawrence,  ^nd  my  second  cousin,  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
December  28,  1795,  and  died  in  Lewistown,  Pa.,  August  30,  1875, 
aged  seventy-nine  years,  eight  months,  and  two  days.  On  his 
tombstone  is  inscribed,  "  I  have  glorified  thee  on  the  earth  ;  I  have 
finished  the  work  which  thou  gavest  me  to  do."  The  following 
from  his  pen,  written  at  Cape  Island,  New  Jersey,  May  30,  1838,  is 
takpn  from  the  album  of  Mrs.  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  by  whose 
parents  he  was  often  cordially  entertained  when  preaching  for  the 
pastor  of  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  ;  it  is  quoted  here 
to  shjw  his  conscientious  habit  of  trying  always  to  say  or  do 
something  instructive  and  useful. 

THE  RAINBOW. 

"You  remember,  Elmira,  that  last  evening  we  saw  upon  the 
bosom  of  a  dark  cloud  which  hung  over  the  ocean  a  well  defined 
rainbow.  You  are  familiar  with  the  material  causes  that  are  a.*^- 
signed  for  this  splendid  and  beautiful  sight,  upon  which  we  look 
with  pleasure  at  all  times,  especially  at  the  close  of  day.  and  you 
have  no  doubt  often  heard  the  simple  couplet : 

"  The  rainbow  at  night, 
Is  the  seaman's  delight." 

It  is  so  because,  in  general,  he  is  assured  by  it  that  the  morrow 
shall  be  propitious  to  his  voyage. 

But  a  believer  in  divine  relation  should  look  upon  the  rainbow 
with  peculiar  emotions,  as  the  pledge  from  age  to  age  of  the  benev- 
olence and  faithfulness  of  our  covenant  God.  "  I  do  set  (says  He), 
my  bow  in  the  cloud,  and  it  shall  be  for  a  token  of  a  covenant 
between  me  and  the  earth,  and  the  waters  shall  no  more  become  a 
flood  to  destroy  all  flesh." 

This  assurance  adds  brightness  and  beauty  to  the  "  bow  in  the 


12. 

clouds."  The  prophet  Ezekiel  1:26,28,  makes  a  statement  that 
gives  "  the  particolored  bow  "  still  greater  interest  in  the  eye  of  a 
Christian.  In  the  sublime  vision  he  had  of  the  majesty  and  power 
of  God,  he  saw  upon  the  throne  the  likeness  of  a  man,  (we  believe 
the  man  Christ  Jesus),  and  says,  as  "  the  appearance  of  the  bow 
that  is  in  the  cloud  in  the  day  ot  rain,  so  was  the  appearance  of  the 
brightness  round  about.  This  was  the  appearance  of  the  likeness 
of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  " 

You  are  aware  that  the  various  colors  so  sweetly  blended  in  the 
rainbow,  and  thus  rendered  so  agreeable  to  the  eye,  are  but  another 
form  of  the  solar  light,  which  if  we  were  to  look  upon  it  as  it  pro- 
ceeds from  the  unclouded  orb  of  day  would  dazzle  us  to  blindness. 
What  a  beautiful  thought  then  does  the  language  of  the  prophet 
furnish  us  !  We,  guilty  creatures,  durst  not  look  upon  an  absolute 
God,  for  he  is  a  consuming  fire,  but  how  mild,  how  sweet  is  the 
light  of  the  knowledge  of  his  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ! 

Whenever  then,  friend  Elmira,  you  look  on  the  rainbow,  think 
of  the  faithfulness  of  the  God  of  nature,  and  intrust  yourself  to  his 
protection.  Think  of  the  grace  of  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  rely  on  his  mercy. 

Thus  whatever  storm-cloud  shall  darken  your  earthly  prospects 
you  may  be  assured  all  will  be  well,  and  when  at  the  close  of  life's 
brief  day  the  gloomy  shade  of  death  shall  spread  over  you,  the  eye 
of  faith  shall  discern  the  rainbow  of  hope  thrown  across  it,  the 
pledge  that  a  morn  shall  succeed  to  you. 

Where  all  is  sinless,  bright  and  blest, 
And  sweetly  flows  the  stream  of  love  and  joy. 
Still  springing  from  the  throne  of  God, 
Who  lives  and  reigns  forever." 

I  also  record  here  the  following  true  and  tender  verses  composed 
by  Mr.  Lawrence,  and  written  in  his  own  hand  writing.  They 
were  sent  to  me  August  29,  1890,  by  his  daughter  Mrs.  Sarah 
H.  Thompson,  of  Milroy,  Pa. 

She  rests — a  fond  mother  is  gone,  a 

Her  smile,  it  will  greet  us  no  more, 
Her  spirit  has  found  its  reward 

Where  pleasures  shall  reign  evermore, 


13. 


No  tear  can  o'ershadow  the  eye, 

No  sigh  shall  e'er  trouble  the  breaSt, 
But  freed  from  the  trials  of  earth 

In  peace  her  rapt  spirit  shall  rest. 

Thou  hast  left  us,  no  more  to  return, 

Grief  casts  its  deep  shadow  around. 
No  more  shall  my  mother's  fond  voice 

In  love's  sweetest  accents  resound. 

The  heart's  deepest  fountains  are  stirred, 

Tears,  tears  in  their  bitterness  flow, 
Ah !  who  but  the  soul  thus  bereaved 

Can  the  depths  of  such  loneliness  know? 

'Great  Father  !  to  Thee  we  resign, 

Thou  gavest,  and  takest  away, 
■We  seek  for  a  shelter  in  Thee, 

Oh !  shine  with  Thy  soul  cheering  ray. 

Our  loss  is  her  infinite  gain, 

G!  grant  us  thy  heavenly  love. 
That  we,  when  life's  journey  is  o'er. 

May  meet  our  dear  parent  above. 

A  mother  her  mission  has  filled, 

Her  life  sheds  a  heavenly  ray, 
Her  labors  of  love  are  all  o'er, 

She  has  passed  from  her  duties  away. 

How  bright  to  look  back  and  behold 

The  path  which  tke  Ohnstian  has  tiod; 
How  sweet  is  the  sleep  of  the  just 

Who  rest  in  the  smile  of  their  God. 

The  Presbyterian,  of  June  2.  1873,  published  the  following 
facts  in  reference  to  Mr.  Lawrence :  "  It  has  been  the  custom  of 
the  General  Assembly,  after  the  necrological  list  has  been  read,  to 
engage  in  prayer  with  one  of  the  oldest  members.  On  Monday 
morning  this  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  Samuel  Lawrence,  a  ven- 
erable member  from  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon.  The  solemn 
hush  throughout  the  auditorium  as  the  aged  man  rose  in  his  place, 
cannot  be  described.  Before  the  echoes  of  his  trembling  voice 
had  ceased,  there  was  a  feeling  deeply  impressed  upon  the  audi- 
ence that  the  speaker  would  never  again  be  able  to  attend  the 
sessions  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  his  name,  before  many 
years,  will  be  read  to  this  great  assembly  in  the  list  of  those  gath- 
ered to  Abraham's  bosom."  The  following  obituary  of  him  was 
f  ublislied  in  The  Presbyterian  of  1875. 


14 


REV.  SAMUEL  LAWRENCE. 

"  The  Rev.  Samuel  Lawrence,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Huntingdon,  lately  deceased,  was  born  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
December  28,  1795.  His  parentage  was  respectable,  though  per- 
haps not  wealthy.  He  early  became  a  member  of  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  city  of  his  birth,  then  under  the  co- 
pa^toral  care  of  the  Rev.  Drs.  Green  and  Janeway.  If  he  became 
a  member  of  the  church  while  Dr.  Green  was  a  co-pastor,  then  it 
must  have  been  before  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age.  However, 
he  early  devoted  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  having 
completed  his  collegiate  education,  as  is  believed,  at  the  College 
of  New  Jersey,  Nassau  Hall,  Princeton,  he  entered  upon  a  course 
of  theological  studies  in  the  Theological  Seminary,  in  the  same 
place,  Drs.  Alexander  and  Miller  being  then  the  sole  Professors. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of 
Philadelphia  in  the  spring  of  1823.  For  a  year  after  his  licensure 
he  served  as  stated  supply  to  the  united  congregations  of  Bridgeton 
and  Greenwich,  N.  J.  Upon  the  separation  of  these  churches  the 
next  year,  he  was  called  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  latter,  and 
was  ordained  and  installed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  in 
November,  1824.  Here  he  continued  to  labor  with  success  and 
acceptability  until  1847 — twenty  four  years — at  which  time  his 
pastoral  relation  was  dissolved  on  account  of  failing  health. 

After  performing  missionary  service  within  the  bounds  of  the 
Presbytery  of  West  Jersey,  as  his  health  permitted;  in  j  849,  he 
visited  some  of  the  vacant  churches  in  the  Presbytery  of  Hunting- 
don, particularly  the  congregation  of  Perryville,  (now  called  Milroy), 
just  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  James  Nourse.  In 
the  spring  of  1850  a  call  from  that  congregation  was  presented  to 
Presbytery  for  his  pastoral  services,  which  was  accepted,  and  he 
was  duly  installed  its  pastor. 

This  congregation  he  continued  to  serve  till  the  spring  of  1857, 
when  he  resigned  the  charge,  with  a  view  to  facilitate  the  union  of 
Milroy  and  East  Kishacoquillas  in  one  pastoral  charge,  whigh  was 
then  under  consideration,  as  supposed.     This  was  the  last  pastoral 


15. 

relation  he  sustained,  but  he  continued  to  act  as  Presbyterial  mis- 
sionary till  near  the  time  of  his  death,  when  the  infirmities  of  old 
age  forbade  his  traveling  much  from  home. 

Father  Lawrence  was  naturally  ot  a  ver}'  amiable  and  pleasant 
disposition.  But  his  chief  excellency  was  his  eminent  piety.  This 
was  manifest  at  all  times  and  in  all  places.  As  a  preacher,  he  was 
faithful  and  instructive.  Being  a  man  of  great  simplicity  of  manner, 
in  and  out  of  the  pulpit,  he  made  no  pretensions  beyond  what  might 
readily  be  discovered  in  him  by  any  sensible  hearer.  The  unpre- 
tending simp  icity  of  his  manner  in  the  pulpit,  no  doubt,  caused 
many  to  under-estiraate  his  pulpit  performances  ;  but  all  gracious 
souls  were  edified  and  comforted.  He  was  highly  esteemed  in  the 
families  of  God's  people,  and  by  all  serious  persons.  Especially 
was  he  a  welcome  visitor  in  the  house  of  mourning.  Gentle, 
sympathetic,  and  wise,  he  was  especially  fitted  to  counsel  and  direct 
the  sick  and  the  dying. 

In  the  proper  work  of  a  minister  and  a  pastor  he  was  unusually 
laborious  and  self-denying  till  the  very  end  of  his  life.  In  extreme 
old  age  he  would  travel  through  heat  and  cold  to  supply  a  few 
destitute  and  scattered  people,  preachmg  oftentimes  three  sermons 
on  the  Sabbath,  after  ^raveling  in  the  roughest  conveyances,  over 
the  roughest  roads,  and  often  on  week  days.  If  ability  as  a  preacher 
consists  in  a  thorough  understanding  of  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel, 
as  taught  in  the  Bible  and  exhibted  in  the  Westminster  Confession 
of  faith  and  m  the  Catechisms,  Larger  and  Shorter,  and  a  hearty 
■consent  to  and  love  for  them,  then  was  Father  L'ovrence  a  very 
capable  expounder  of  the  Word. 

As  a  presbyter  he  was  always  very  efficient,  and  in  his  relations 
to  the  brethren  kind  and  courteous.  He  had  no  taste  for  contro- 
versy, but  was  always  found  true  to  the  doctrines  and  order  of  the 
Church.  He  was  mtimately  acquainted  with  the  rules  of  discipline 
and  order  of  ecclesiastical  business,  and  was,  therefore,  well  quali- 
fied to  counsel  and  advise  in  the  courts  of  the  Church. 

Mr.  Lawrence  was  a  minister  of  more  learning  than,  perhaps,  has 
been  generally  attributed  to  him,  more  especially  on  those  subjects 
that  pertained  to  his  life-long  work.  In  Ecclesiabtical  History, 
Church  Government  and  Theology,  his  knowledge  was  accurate, 
£;.:Tiiliar  and  extensive. 


After  resigning  his  last  pastoral  charge,  he  fixed  his  family 
residence  at  Lewistown,  Mifflin  County,  Pa.  His  last  public  ap- 
pearance was  on  the  street  of  that  town  on  the  Sabbath  afternoon; 
but  one  before  his  death,  when  he  addressed  a  crowd  who  seldom 
if  ever  attended  the  services  of  the  sanctuary.  The  next  day,  or 
very  shortly  afterwards,  he.  was  seized  with  the  disease  which 
terminated  his  long  and  useful  life.  His  disease  was  bilious  diarrhoea. 
His  sickness  lasted  only  ten  days,  without  any  acute  suffering.  His 
end  was,  like  his  life,  very  peaceful.  He  died  on  the  30th  day  of 
August,  1875,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age  ;  and  his  funeral  took 
place  on  Thursday,  the  2d  of  September,  attended  by  a  goodly 
number  of  his  ministerial  brethren  of  several  denominations,  and  a 
large  concourse  of  people.  Father  Lawrence  was  married  early  in 
his  ministerial  life  to  Miss  Fithian,  of  New  Jersey.  This  excellent 
woman  died  several  years  before  her  husband,  leaving  him  with  a 
family  of  ten  children,  most  of  whom  are  daughters. 

Nothing  remains  further  to  say  but — "  Blessed  are  the  dead  who 
die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth  ;  yea  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they 
may  rest  from  their  labors  ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them."  "Well 
done, good  and  faithful  servant;"  the  labor  and  the  suffering  are 
over ;   now  the  crown  1" 

Mr.  Lawrence  had  two  sisters,  Deborah  and  Catharine.  They 
both  died  in  Philadelphia.  He  was  married  in  Philadelphia,  January 
3,  1825,  to  Sarah  Dare  Fithian,  b}^  the  Rev.  Dr.  Janeway. 

Mrs.  Sarah  D  are  Lawrence,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah 
Reeves  Fithian,  was  born  in  Roadstown,  Cumberland  county, 
New  Jersey,  May  10,  1807,  and  died  in  Lewistown,  Pennsylvania, 
September  5,  1868,  aged  61  years,  3  months  and  25  days.  The 
inscription  on  her  tombstone  is,  "I  know  whom  I  have  believed, 
and  am  persuaded  that  He  is  able  to  keep  that  which  I  have  com- 
mitted unto  Him  against  that  day."  I  here  transcribe  the  following 
appropriate  published  record  of  her: 

Died — "  On  the  5th  inst.,at  Lewistown,  Mifflin  county.  Pa.,  Mrs. 
Sallie  D.  Lawrence,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Lawrence,  in  the 
sixty-second  year  of  her  age,  after  a  short  but  severe  illness.  She  w'as 
distinguished,  during  a  married  life  of  forty-four  years,  as  the 
efficient  helpmeet  of  her  husband  in  his  pastoral  duties  ;  as  a  faithful 
and  affectionate  mother ;  as  a  friend  to  the  poor ;  as  a  tender  and 


17. 

skilful  nurse  among  the  sick  and  suffering;  and  as  ready  for  every 
good  work.  During  the  late  civil  war  she  took  a  prominent  part 
in  those  labors  of  love,  by  which  the  females  of  our  land  accomplished 
so  much  for  the  relief  and  comfort  of  our  suffering  soldiery.  Such 
was  the  nature  and  effect  of  her  last  disease,  as  to  render  her  unable 
to  converse  much  herself,  or  even  to  listen  to  what  was  said  by 
others.  Once,  during  a  more  than  usual  season  of  relief  from  pain, 
on  being  asked  if  she  knew  her  husband,  who  was  then  standing 
by  her,  she  replied,  ''  Yes ;  I  know  my  husband,  and  I  know  my 
Heavenly  Father,  and  my  gracious  Saviour,  in  whom  I  trust,  and 
whose  blood  cleanseth  from  all  sin."  Other  expressions  of  a  similar 
kind  were  made  by  her  down  to  the  closing  scene,  which  was  calm 
and  peaceful ;  but  she  needed  not  these  things  to  certify  her  Christian 
character.  Her  religious  life  had  always  been  marked  more  by 
deeds  than  words,  and  many  precious  recollections  of  these  are 
cherished  by  surviving  relatives  and  friends.  She  leaves  behind 
her  a  husband  and  a  large  family  of  children,  who,  while  mourning  her 
departure,  desire  to  feel  grateful  to  God  that  she  was  spared  so  long 
to  them.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,  from 
henceforth ;  yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

The  children  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  and  Sarah  D.  Lawrence  were 
eleven — eight  daughters  and  three  sons. 

1.  Mary  Elizabeth  Lawrence,  was  born  in  Greenwich,  N.  J.,  July 
20,  1826.  She  was  married  to  Theodore  W.  Young,  January  13, 
1847.  He  is  a  coal  dealer,  and  lives  in  Trenton,  N.  J.  They  are 
both  members  of  the  church.  They  have  had  six  children,  but 
only  two  are  living. 

2,  Sarah  Hart  Lawrence,  was  born  in  Greenwich,  N.  J.,  Septem- 
ber 5,  1 828.  She  was  married  April  6.  1854,  to  William  J.  Thompson, 
of  Milroy,  Pa.  They  were  both  members  of  the  church,  Mr, 
Thompson  died  in  Sunbury,  Pa.,  September  16,  1877,  after  which 
his  family  moved  back  to  their  own  home  in  Milroy.  They  had 
two  children,  one  son,  Harvey,  and  one  daughter,  Kate  L.  Harvey 
was  eleven  years  in' the  store  at  Logan,  Pa.  But  for  the  last  year 
he  has  been  at  Everett,  Bedford  County,  Pa.,  in  charge  of  the 
grocery  department  of  a  large  store  there.  Kate  L.  resides  with 
her  mother  at  Milroy,  Pa. 


18. 

3-  Samuel  Fithian  Lawrence  was  born  February  30,  1831.  He 
was  married  November  23,  1865,  to  Emily  Seeley  Fithian,  of 
Greenwich,  N.  J.     They  have  no  children. 

4.  Jacob  Janeway  Lawrence  was  born  September  5,  1833,  and 
died  July  31,  1840,  at  Roadstown,  N.  J. 

5.  Martha  Janeway  Lawrence  was  born  January  20,  1836.  She 
was  married  to  William  John  McManigal,  of  Milroy,  Pa.,  Decem- 
ber 22,  1858.  He  lives  in  Orbiston,  Ohio,  and  is  manager  of  the 
furnace  there.   They  have  had  six  children.    All  are  living  but  one. 

6.  Harriet  Love  Lawrence  was  born  January  22,  1838.  She  was 
married  to  Benjamin  F.  Harding,  of  Clayton,  N.  J,,  May  14,  1866. 
They  now  live  in  Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  and  have  five  children.  Mr. 
Harding  is  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  there. 

7.  Rebecca  Fithian  Lawrence  was  born  March  5,  1840,  and  was 
married  July,  1877,  to  William  Brunyate,  of  Port  Norris,  N.  J.  He 
is  an  oyster  dealer.  They  now  live  in  Bridgeton,  N.  J.,  and  have 
one  child.     They  are  both  members  of  the  church. 

8.  Margaret  Freeman  Lawrence  was  born  October  4,  1842,  and 
was  married  to  Thomas  D.  Parker,  a  merchant  in  Lewistown,  Pa., 
February  11,  1867.     She  died  September  i,  1882. 

9.  Catharine  Dunlap  Lawrence  was  born  May  31,  1847,  ^"^ 
was  married  to  Thomas  W.  Hamilton,  November,  1875.  They  are 
now  living  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and  have  four  children.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  church. 

10.  Anna  Howell  Lawrence  was  born  October  27,  1848,  and 
was  married  to  Lewis  D.  Sheppard,  July  27,  1870-  He  is  a  mer- 
chant in  Keokuk,  Iowa.  They  have  four  children,  and  are  both 
members  of  the  church. 

11.  Robert  Fithian  Lawrence,  the  youngest  child,  was  born  at 
Milroy,  Mifflin  County,  Pa.,  June  4,  1851.  He  was  married  to 
Virginia  Hitchcock,  at  Lock  Haven,  Pa.,  September  30,  1880.  He 
is  a  merchant  in  Renova,  Pa. 

The  total  number  of  children  and  grandchildren  of  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Lawrence  is  forty,  of  whom  thirty-one  are  now  living. 

JACOB  HUGHES. 

My  great  grandfather,  on  the  Hughes  side,  was  Jacob 
Hughes.     He  was  born,  according  to  the  inscription  on  his  tomb- 


19! 

stone  in  Cold  Spring  cemetery,  in   i/ii,  and  died   September  28,- 
1772,  aged  sixty-one  years. 

My  great  grandmother,  on  the  Hughes  side,  was  Priscilla 
Hughes.  She  was  born,  according  to  the  inscription  on  her  tomb- 
stone in  the  Cold  Spring  cemetery,  in  17 10,  and  died  September 
21,  1758,  aged  forty  eight  years. 

My  grandfather,  Jacob  Hughes,  was  born  August  9,  1746,  and 
died  March  20,  1796,  aged  forty-nine  years,  seven  months,  and 
eleven  days.  On  his  tombstone  in  the  Cold  Spring  cemetery  are 
the  following  impressive  words  : 

"  Mortals  who  chance  to  tread  this  sacred  spot. 
Look  on  my  tomb  and  read  the  human  lot, 
Your  flesh  like  mine,  must  reunite  with  clay, 
To  worlds  unknown  your  spirits  soar  away, 
I've  gone  before  and  you  must  come  behind, 
Depart  from  hence  and  keep  this  thought  in  mind." 

My  grandmother,  Ann  Lawrence,  (daughter  of  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Lawrence)  was  born  August,  1753,  and,  after  my  grandfather's 
death  she  married  Jeremiah  Edmonds,  and  died  November  27, 
1 8 17,  aged  sixty-four  years  and  three  months,  and  was  buried  in 
the  Cold  Spring  cemetery. 

The  Hugheses  were  early,  prominent,  and  well  to-do,  settlers  in 
Cape  May  County.  The  original  settler  by  this  name  was,  proba- 
bly, Humphrey  Hughes,  who,  with  others,  purchased  of  Doctor 
Coxe  about  540  acres  of  land  as  early  as  1689.  ^^  located  on  the 
Bayside  of  the  Lower  township,  being  probably  the  father  of  David 
Hughes,  Sr.,  and  the  great  grandfather -of  the  late  Daniel  B.,  David 
and  Beulah  Hughes,  of  Cold  Spring,  as  also  the  father  of  Humph- 
rey Hughes  and  his  descendants  of  Cape  Island. 

Different  persons,  however,  of  the  name  of  Hughes,  not  related 
to  each  other,  came  to  Cape  May  County  at  an  early  day  and 
belong  to  the  old  settlers. 

I  remember  hearing  my  father  say  that  there  were  four  brothers 
by  the  name  of  Hughes  who  emigrated  from  Wales  to  this  country 
and  that  one  of  them,  his  grandfather,  Jacob  Hughes,  settled  in. 
West  Jersey,  in  the  Lower  township.  His  own  father's  name  was 
Jacob  Hughes,  an  influential  man  in  society  and  in  the  church.  He 
owned  five  farms,  and  when  he  died  he  left  them  to  his  heirs. 


30. 

The  children  of  my  grandparents,  Jacob  Hughes  and  Ann 
Lawrence  Hughes,  on  my  father's  side,  and  including  his  brothers 
and  sisters,  were  Jacob,  Daniel,  Mary,  Jeremiah,  Elizabeth  and 
James  Rainy. 

1.  Jacob  Hughes,  the  oldest  child,  was  born  about  1777,  and 
died  about  1830.  He  married  and  had  one  son,  Jacob  S.  Hughes, 
who  was  born  in  1803,  and  died  in  1835.  Among  the  early  State 
Military  Commissioners  of  New  Jersey,  I  see  that  Jacob  Hughes, 
as  a  Cape  May  man,  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  June  23,  1798. 
His  son,  Jacob  S.,  married  Rebecca  Crawford,  of  Cold  Spring. 
They  had  one  daughter,  Mary  Higbee  Hughes,  who  married 
Joseph  Russell,  and  had  eight  children,  four  of  whom,  viz :  Joseph^ 
Mary,  Charles  and  George  are  living.  Joseph  married,  has  a 
family  and  lives  in  Cold  Spring.  Mary  married  William  Ruther- 
ford, has  a  family,  and  lives  in  Cold  Spring.  The  two  younger 
sons  live  with  their  mother,  who,  a  widow,  married  William  Trader. 
Their  residence  is  at  Holmesburg,  Pa.  After  Jacob  S.  died,  his 
widow  married  Stilwell  Stevens.  They  had  twelve  children,  of 
whom  six  are  living — one  son  and  five  daughters. 

2.  Daniel  Hughes,  M.  D.,  the  second  son,  was  born  in  1779,  and 
died  July  3,  1815,  aged  thirty-six  years.  He  married  and  had  two 
sons. 

3.  Mary  Hughes  the  oldest  daughter,  married  John  Bennett,  a 
Pilot,  Their  children  were  WiUiam,  Mary  Ann,  Charlotte  and 
Louisa. 

4.  Jeremiah  Hughes,  the  third  son,  was  born  in  1783,  and  died 
February  23,  18 15,  aged  thirty-two  years. 

5.  Elizabeth  Hughes,  the  second  daughter,  married  John  Church. 
Their  children  were  Sophia,  Rhoda  and  Arabella. 

6.  The  sketch  of  my  father,  James  Rainy  Hughes,  will  be  found 
on  page  thirty-eight  of  this  history. 

The  above  is  the  Ancestral  Record  on  my  father's  side. 


Mrs,  Sarah  I),  Lawrence.  Samuel  !•'.  I.awreii 


Francis  S.  Kldredge.  Charles  H    HUiredge.  Kihvard  I,,  l^ldredge. 


William  A.  Kldredge.  Miss  Mary  Emma  Kldredge.        Miss  Samaria  A.  Kldredge. 


THE    KLlDREDGEi    GROUP'. 


21. 

JEREMIAH  ELDREDGE. 

It  has  been  stated  that,  in  the  early  history  of  New  Jersey, 
Jeremy  Eldredge  was  sent  over  from  England  by  the  King  to  adjust 
the  l^nd  estates  of  the  Lower  part  of  New  Jersey. 

The  Ancestral  Record  on  my  mother's — Eliza  Eldredge  Hughes 
— side,  is  as  follows  ; 

My  GRANDFATHER,  Aaron  Eldredge,  Sr.,  son  of  my  great  grand- 
father, Jeremiah  Eldredge,  was  born  June  13,  1771.  He  was 
married  to  Hannah  Langdon,  June  17,  1792,  at  Cape  May  County, 
N.  J.,  and  died  August  21,  iSiQ.aged  forty-eight  years,  two  months 
and  eight  days.  He  was  buried  with  his  fathers  in  the  Cold  Spring 
grave  yard.  Among  the  early  State  Civic  Commissioners  of  New 
Jersey,  I  find  that  my  grandfather,  Aaron  Eldredge,  as  a  Cape  May 
man,  was  commissioned  Surrogate  July  31,  1801,  and  Coroner 
October  16,  1802,. 

My  grandmother,  Hannah  Langdon  Eldredge,  his  wife,  was  born 
December  21,  1774,  and  died  June  6,  1836,  aged  sixty-one  years,  five 
months  and  fifteen  days,  and  was  buried  by  the  side  of  her  husband. 
She  was  a  prudent,  industrious  and  generous  Christian  woman.  She 
often  visited  her  only  daughter,  my  mother,  and  we  children  always 
watched  the  big  pocket  in  the  right  side  of  her  dress ;  for  it  was 
always  well  filled  with  something  good,  which  she  always  distributed 
among  us  with  a  smiling  face.  When  a  girl  she  attended  the 
Moravian  school  at  Bethlehem,  Pa.,  and  graduated  there.  She  is 
said  to  have  been  the  first  lady  in  the  Lower  township  of  Cape 
May  county,  that  had  a  carriage  to  ride  in. 

The  children  of  my  grand  parents  on  my  mother's  side,  and 
including  her  brothers,  were  Jeremiah  L.,  Aaron,  Eliza  (an  only 
daughter),  Joseph,  William,  Stilwell,  George  and  Ephraim. 

I.  Jeremiah  Leaming  Eldredge,  the  first  child  of  Aaron  and 
Hannah  L.  Eldredge,  was  born  at  Cape  May  county,  July  14,  1793. 
He  was  married  to  Harriet  Tomlin  at  Goshen,  Cape  May  county, 
August  16,  1821,  and  died  suddenly  of  cholera,  July  10  1849,  aged 
fifty-five  years,  eleven  months  and  twenty-six  days.  He  was  buried 
in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  church  yard.  The  following 
inscription  is  on  his  tombstone — 


33 

"  Weep  not  for  me,  my  wife  and  children  dear, 

I  am  not  dead,  but  only  sleeping  here  ; 

Our  parting's  short,  we  soon  shall  meet  again, 

There  sighing  ne'er  shall  come,  nor  death  e'er  reign." 

Harriet  Tomlin  Eldredge,  his  wife,  daughter  of  Wilham  and 
Sarah  Tomlin,  was  born  in  Cumberland  county,  N.  J.,  December  3, 
1805,  She  died  October  23,  1863,  aged  fifty-seven  years,  ten 
months  and  twenty  days,  and  was  buried  in  the  C  Id  Spring  church 
yard.     The  following  is  inscribed  on  her  tombstone: 

OUR  MOTHER. 

"  All  heart  could  wish  lies  buried  here. 
Of  mother,  wife,  or  friend  sincere; 
From  day  to  day  she  meek'.y  trod, 
In  duty's  path  and  served  her  God." 

The  following  are  the  names,  births,  and  histories  of  their  twelve 
children. 

1st.  William  Tomlin  Eldredge,  the  first  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and 
Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  October  19, 
1822,  and  died  December  4, 1888,  aged  sixty-six  years, one  month  and 
fifteen  days.  He  was  a  Delaware  Bay  and  River  Pilot,  and  followed 
this  business  for  a  living  until  his  death.  He  was  married  to  Arabella 
Corson,  of  Petersburg,  N.  J.  When  he  died,  he  left,  besides  his 
wife,  six  children,  all  married  as  follows  : — 

(i).  Stilwell  Eldredge,  who  is  in  government  employ  at  the  Life 
Saving  Station  at  Cape  May  Point.  He  married  Ella  Hand.  They 
have  no  child  living. 

(2).  Ellis  Corson  Eldredge.  He  is  a  Delaware  Bay  and  River 
Pilot.  He  married  Emma  Robinson.  They  have  two  children — 
Flora  Keler  Eldredge  and  Elsie  Dinsmore  Eldredge. 

(3).  Lewis  Eldredge.  He  is  assistant  at  the  Cape  May  light 
house.  His  first  wife  was  May  Harris.  They  had  two  children — 
one  son,  Harold  Eldredge,  and  one  daughter,  Ida  May  Eldredge. 
His  second  wife  was  Miss  Weeks. 

(4).  Walter  Eldredge.  who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  fruit 
business  at  Haddonfield,  N.J.  He  married  Mrs.  Kate  Crcsse  Worth. 
They  have  one  child,  Walter  Eldredge. 

(5).  Livingston  Eldredge.  He  is  by  trade  a  carpenter.  He 
married  Judith  Hoffman.  They  have  one  daughter,  Florence 
Eldredge,  and  reside  at  West  Cape  May, 


23. 

(6).  Elizabeth  Eldredge,  who  married  Williara  Hemsley,  a 
wheelwright  and  painter.  Thev  live  at  Bridgetcn,  N.  J.,  and  have 
five  children,  May,  Raleigh,  Joseph,  Harriet  and  William  Hemsley. 

2d.  Samuel  Eldredge  was  the  second  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and 
Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  and  was  born  March  30,  1824,  and  diedx\pril 
26,  1824.  aged  twtnty-six  days. 

3d,  Eliza  Ellen  Eldredge,  the  third  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and 
Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  June,  1825,  and  died,  but  there  is 
no  record  of  her  death. 

4th.  Eliza  Eldredge,  the  fourth  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and  Harriet 
T.  Eldredge,  was  born  August  7,  1826.  She  married  Humphrey 
Hughes,  Jr.,  of  Cape  May  City,  who  was  also  a  Delaware  Bay  and 
River  Pilot.  They  have  two  children,  Adrian  Bateman  Hughes 
and  Harriet  Eldredge  Hughes.  Adrian  B.  married  a  lady  at 
Wilmington,  Del., and  she  and  their  two  children  reside  there.  He 
himself  is  chief  engineer  ot  an  ocean  steamer  trading  on  the  Pacific 
ocean.  Harriet  E.  married  Michael  Augustus  Lengert,  a  merchant 
in  Philadelphia,  Pa.  They  have  four  children,  tw^o  sons  and  two 
daughters. 

5th.  The  fifth  child,  a  son  of  Jeremiah  L.  and  Harriet  T.  Eldredge^ 
was  born  October  17,  1828.  No  name  was  given  it;  it  died 
December  24,  1828,  aged  two  months  and  seven  days. 

6th.  Charles  Eldredge,  the  sixth  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and  Harriet 
T.  Eldredge,  was  born  February  18,  1830.  He  learned  the  carpen- 
ter's trade,  and  married  Elizabeth  Tomlin,  of  Goshen,  Cape  May 
county.  They  bought  a  farm  near  Shiloh,  Cumberland  county,  N. 
J.,  and  still  occupy  it.  They  have  lost,  I  think,  two  children,  and 
have  the  following  five  now  livins — Jennie,  the  wife  of  Samuel 
Craig ;  Judith  Tomlin  Eldredge,  unmarried ;  Abbie,  the  wife  of 
John  Harris,  of  Shiloh ;  Hattie  Eldredge,  not  yet  married,  and 
Paul,  the  youngest,  a  son  of  about  20  years  of  age. 

7th.  Jeremiah  L.  Eldredge,  the  seventh  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and 
Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  November  21,  1831.  He  is  also  a 
Delaware  Bay  and  River  Pilot,  and  is  now  following  it  for  a  liveli- 
hood. He  married  Mary  Marshall  of  West  Philadelphia.  They 
have  three  children  now  living,  viz.  : — Ida  May  Eldredge,  born 
September  12,  1858.  John  Marshall  Eldredge,  born  February  21, 
i860,  and  George  Horn  Eldredge,  born  December  7,  1872.     They 


34. 

have  also  lost  two  children — Alonzo  Eldredge,  born  May  3,  1856, 
and  died  August  31,  1862,  and  Frank  Hilworth  Eldredge,  born 
September  15,  1S62,  and  died  March  4,  1867. 

8th.  Nelson  Tomlin  Eldredge,  the  eighth  child,  of  Jsremiah  L, 
and  Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  October  13,  1833,  ^^^  ^'^^ 
June  16,  1886,  aged  fifty-two  years,  eight  months  and  three  days,  and 
was  buried  in  the  Cold  Spring  cemetery.  He  was  a  farmer.  He 
also  served  three  years  as  Sheriff  of  Cape  May  county.  He  married 
Deborah  V.  B.  Hand,  daughter  of  Aaron  Hand,  of  New  England, 
Cape  May  county.  They  had  five  children,  Maryetta  Eldredge, 
who  died,  and  the  four  following  who  are  now  living — Southard 
Eldredge,  Eliza  Eldredge,  Jacob  Smallwood  Eldredge,  and  WoodrufT 
Eldredge. 

9th.  Francis  Springer  Eldredge,  the  ninth  child  of  Jeremiah  L. 
and  Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  April  22,  1836.  He  is  also  a 
Delaware  Bay  and  River  Pilot,  and  is  now  following  that  business  for 
a  living.  He  married  Elizabeth  Edmunds  Johnson,  daughter  of 
Noah  and  Jane  Johnson,  of  West  Cape  May.  They  have  three 
sons — Loring  Brewster  Eldredge,  Joseph  Johnson  Eldredge,  and 
Francis  Goodell  Eldredge,  the  youngest,  in  his  thirteenth  year. 
They  call  him  Goodell,  and  when  they  write  his  name,  they  write 
F.  Goodell  Eldredge.  Joseph  Johnson  Eldredge,  the  second  son, 
married  Hannah  Hand,  the  daughter  of  W.  F.  Hand,  a  pilot  now 
deceased.  They  have  one  child  about  lour  years  old,  Francis  S. 
Eldredge,  named  after  his  grandfather.  Francis  S.  Eldredge,  Sr  , 
owns  a  cottage  at  Cape  May  City,  N.  J.,  but  sometimes  he  resides 
in  Philadelphia. 

loth.  James  Smith  Eldredge,  the  tenth  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and 
Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  September  28,  1839.  He  was  a 
farmer,  and  for  several  years  was  mail  agent  on  the  West  Jersey 
Railroad,  between  Philadelphia  and  Cape  May  City,  and  afterwards 
he  was  a  coal  dealer  at  Cape  May  City.  He  married  Letitia  Stimpson, 
daughter  of  Charles  P.  Stimpson,  of  Lower  township.  Cape  May 
county,  N.  J.  They  had  three  children.  The  oldest  child  was 
named  Charles  Stimpson  Eldredge,  who  is  married  to  a  lady  m 
Da\'ton,  Ohio,  and  is  settled  there  as  a  marble  cutter.  The  second 
son  of  James  S.  and  Letitia  S.  Eldredge  is  Augustus  Eldredge.  He 
is   unmarried,   lives  in  Philadelphia,  and   is  employed  as  a  clerk 


25. 

in  a  store  there.  The  third  child  of  James  S.  and  Letitia  S. 
Eldredge  is  a  daughter,  named  Clara.  She  is  now  living  with  and 
taking  care  of  her  step-grandmother  at  Cape  May  City,  who  was 
the  second  wife  and  is  now  the  widow  of  Charles  P.  Stimpson. 
James  Smith  Eldredge's  wife,  Letitia,  died  when  Clara  was  a  small 
child  He  again  married  a  Miss  Gardener,  of  South  Vineland,  N. 
J.  They  had  one  son.  James  afterwards  located  at  Springfield, 
Illinois,  where  he  now  resides.  During  the  Civil  War,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  Twenty-fifth  Regiment,  New  Jersey  Volunteers, 
for  nine  full  months,  from  September,  1862  to  September,  1863, 

nth.  Harriet  Eldredge,  the  eleventh  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and 
Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was  born  December  20,  1841.  She  was 
married  to  John  Parsons,  a  farmer  in  Lower  township.  Cape  May 
county.  They  have  five  children — three  daughters  and  two  sons. 
Elizabeth,  the  oldest  daughter,  married  William  Ritter,  of  Philadel- 
phia. Maggie  married  Frank  Taylor,  of  Philadelphia,  and  Emma, 
unmarried,  who  is  now  employed  in  the  post  office  at  Cape  May 
City.  The  two  sons,  Robert  Parsons  and  Augustus  Lengert 
Parsons  are  living  at  home  with  their  parents. 

1 2th.  George  Emma  Eldredge,  the  youngest  daughter  and  the 
twelfth  and  last  child  of  Jeremiah  L.  and  Harriet  T.  Eldredge,  was 
born  September  23,  1845.  She  married  William  C.  Town,  son  of 
Richard  Town,  of  Cape  May.  They  own  ixnd  live  on  a  farm  which 
was  formerly  a  part  of  the  farm  and  homestead  of  Jeremiah  L. 
Eldredge  and  Harriet  T.,  his  wife,  located  on  the  landing  road  to 
Cape  May  City.  They  have  four  children — three  daughters  and 
one  son.  The  oldest  daughter,  Harriet,  married  a  young  man  by 
the  name  of  Lot  Cresse,  and  they  have  one  child  about  a  year  old. 
Lizzie  C.  Town  is  a  teacher,  and  Charles,  the  son,  with  Ada,  the 
youngest  daughter,  are  living  with  their  parents  at  home. 

2.  Aaron  Eldredge,  Jr.,  the  second  child  of  Aaron  and  Hannah 
L.  Eldredge,  was  born  June  6,  1795,  and  died  August  10,  1832, 
aged  thirty-seven  years,  two  months  and  four  days.  Hannah 
Eldredge,  his  wife,  was  born  June  14.  1800,  and  died  April  21, 
1 83 1,  aged  thirty  years,  ten  months  and  seven  days.  Eh  Hickman 
Eldredge  was  their  only  child.  He  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J., 
March  3,  1825,  and  died  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine 
years,  of  typhoid  fever.     He  was  married  to   Miss    Mary  Moore 


Brunner,  of  Philadelphia,  by  Rev.  Kzra  Stiles  Ely,  D.  D.,  July  2i, 
1846.     Their  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children. 

Anna  Mary — died  of  Peretonitis,  asjed  fourteen  years. 

Ella  Virginia — married  William  Stuart  King. 

Elizabeth  Brunner — died  of  Scarlet  Fever,  aged  five  years. 

Eli  Hickman — married  Helen  Mar  Van  Dyke. 

Abraham  Brunner — died  of  Pneumonia,  aged  five  years. 

Edward  Langdon — unmarried. 

Emma  Shepherd — married  John  Franklin  Soby. 

Mr.  Eldredge  developed  into  the  highest  type  of  man  in  honor, 
integrity  and  virtue.  He  was  ever  mindful  of  the  poor  and  needy, 
and  during  all  his  life  he  took  a  great  interest  in  religious  matters, 
being  for  a  number  of  years  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Buttonwood  Street 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  a  School  Director  of  the  John 
Hancock  Public  School  on  Twelfth  and  Fairmount  avenue ;  was  a 
Colonel  of  Governor  Pollock's  staff;  was  a  Fairmount  Park 
Commissioner ;  was  a  Freemason,  and  was  a  member  of  the  order 
of  Odd  Fellows.     His  business  was  that  of  a  merchant  tailor. 

3.  Eliza  Eldredge,  the  only  daughter,  will  have  her  history 
sketched  elsewhere. 

4.  Joseph  Eldredge,  the  fourth  child  of  Aaron  and  Hannah  L. 
Eldredge  was  born  August  7,  1798,  and  died  March  21,  1879,  aged 
eighty  years,  seven  months  and  fourteen  days.  He  was  always 
pleasant  and  accommodating,  and  a  consistent  Christian.  The 
inscription  on  his  tombstone  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian 
cemetery  is — "  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God." 
He  was  married  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  September  22,  1830,  to  Mrs, 
Ann  Morgan  Cox  West,  by  Rev.  Israel  Townsend.  She  was  born 
Mav  18, 1800,  and  died  July  20, 1880,  aged  eighty  years,  two  months 
and  two  days,  and  was  buried  beside  her  husband.  The  inscription 
on  her  tombstone  is — "  Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall 
obtain  mercy." 

The  children  of  Joseph  and  Ann  Morgan  Eldredge  were  four. 
Harriet  Ann  Wales  Eldredge,  born  June  17,  183 1  ;  Sarah  Edmonds 
Eldredge,  born  August  22,  1833  ;  Joseph  Cox  Eldredge,  the  only 
son,  born  July  9,  1836,  and  Eliza  Theresa  Eldredge,  born  December 
13.  1839.  "^he  second  and  third  daughters  are  both  dead.  Sarah 
E.  died  October  11,  1856,  aged  twenty-three  years,  one  month  and 


27. 

nineteen  days.  Eliza  Tlieresa,  died  April  12,  1883,  aged  forty-three 
years,  three  months  and  twenty-nine  days. 

Harriet  Ann  W.  Eldredge  married  James  Learning,  who  is  in  the 
real  estate  business.  They  had  five  children — two  sons  and  a 
daughter  died.  Two  sons  are  living.  Joseph  E.  Leaming  and 
Mortimer  Leaming. 

Joseph  Cox  Eldredge  and  Ocie  Bennett  were  married  at  Cape 
May  City,  June  9,  1869,  by  Rev.  John  H.  Leggett.  He  is  both  a 
storekeeper  and  a  farmer. 

George  Bennett  Kldredge,  their  oldest  son,  was  born  March  25, 
1870,  and  died  July  14,  1874,  aged  four  years,  three  months  and 
nineteen  days. 

Irvin  Howard  Eldredge,  their  second  son,  was  born  March  22, 
1875. 

Ocie  May  Eldredge,  their  only  daughter,  was  born  May  11, 
1876. 

5.  Captain  William  Eldredge,  the  fifth  child  of  Aaron  and 
Hannah  L.  Eldredge  was  born  at  the  Cold  Spring  homestead  April 
30,  1804,  and  died  June  29,  1886,  aged  eighty-two  years  and  two 
months.  He  was  married  at  Somers  Point,  N.  J.,  September  6,  1828, 
to  Esther  A.  Ireland,  the  daughter  of  Elijah  Ireland,  of  Estellville, 
N.  J.  She  was  born  at  Somers  Point,  N.  J.,  July  8,  i8ri.  Her 
mother,  Rachel  Somers,  it  is  said,  was  the  third  descendant  from 
John  Somers,  who  came  from  Worcester,  England,  in  1668,  and  was 
a  cousin  to  John  Lord,  the  first  Earl  of  Hardwick,  England. 

The  foUowmg  was  published  of  Captain  Eldredge  in  a  Cape  May 
paper : 

death  of  WILLIAM  ELDREDGE. 

"  Captain  William  Eldredge,  a  life-long  resident  of  Cold  Spring, 
departed  this  life  on  Tuesday,  June  29,  1886,  at  the  age  of  eighty- two 
years,  and  two  months,  having  been  born  on  April  30,  1804. 

For  about  three  years  Captain  Eldredge  had  suffered  from  cancer 
in  the  face,  bearing  his  affliction  with  the  greatest  fortitude  and 
patience.  Since  his  twenty-first  year  he  had  been  a  consistent 
member  of  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  time  of 
need  he  found  the  promises  of  the  Gospel  safe  and  sure. 

The  deceased  was  born  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  his  late 


28. 

residence.  In  September,  1828,  he  married  a  Miss  Ireland,  at 
Somers  Point,  they  hving  together  fifty-seven  years  and  nine  months. 
She  survives  him,  and  is  quite  active  for  one  of  her  years,  being 
seventy-six  years  old  yesterday,  8th  inst,  (July,  1886). 

The  funeral  took  place  on  Friday,  July  2,  attended  by  all  the  mem- 
bers of  his  immediate  family,  except  one  son,  Wm.  A.  Eldredge,  who 
is  station  agent  at  Memphis,  Tenn.,  on  the  Louisville,  Texas  and 
New  Orleans  Railroad.  Rev.  Mr.  Landis  preached  an  excellent 
funeral  discourse  in  the  old  church  on  the  occasion. 

Thus  alter  a  remarkably  long-  and  active  life,  upright  and  honor- 
able, passed  away  the  .spirit  of  one  sure  of  eternal  rest  and  reward." 
They  had  nine  children. 

1st.  Rachel  Somers  Eldredge,  who  was  married  twice.  Her 
first  husband  was  George  Higbee  Stevens,  son  of  Ezekiel  Stevens, 
Esq.,  of  Cold  Spring.  They  had  one  child,  Lois  H.  Stevens.  She 
has  been  married  twice.  Her  first  husband  was  William  Eldredge, 
of  Cape  May  County.  Her  present  husband  is  D.  E.  Mathis,  of  New 
Gretna,  Burlington  county,  N  J.  Rachel  Stevens'  second  husband 
was  James  Mecray,  of  Cape  May  City.  They  had  one  child,  Rachel 
S.  Mecray.  She  is  married  to  Joseph  T.  Dolby,  of  Philadelphia. 
Her  mother  died  at  Cape  May  City,  December  24,  1870,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Cold  Spring  church  yard. 

2d,  Sarah  W.  Eldredge,  married  Constantine  Somers,  of  Somers 
Point,  and  resided  at  Cape  May  City,  He  died  January  8,  and 
was  buried  at  Somers  Point,  N,  J.,  January  14,  1891 

3d.  Mary  Benner  Eldred^'e,  the  third  child  of  Captain  William 
and  Esther  A.  Eldredge,  married  Frederick  G.  Dodson,  of  Hazleton, 
Pa.  They  now  live  in  Tempe,  Arizona,  where  he  is  engaged  in 
the  banking  business, 

4th.  Hannah  A,  Eldredge,  married  Dewitt  Clinton  Crowell,  of 
Norfolk,  Virginia.  They  were  married  in  the  Cold  Sprmg  Pres- 
byterian church.  Cape  May.  They  lived  in  Norfolk,  Va.,  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  November  24,  1874.  His  widow  and  family 
moved  to  Philadelphia,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year,  1875,  where 
they  still  reside.  Four  daughters  were  the  fruits  of  this  marriage, 
(i)  Mary  C,  Crowell,  (2)  Dessa  W.  Crowell,  (3)  Eva  J.  Crowell, 
(4)  Hannah  M.  Crowell.  Dessa  W.  is  married  to  John  B.  Clement, 
of  Philadelphia. 


2d. 

5th.  Aaron  Eldredge,  who  died  when  a  child. 

6th.  Captain  John  Somers  Eldredge  was  married  three  times,  and 
has  three  sons.  His  first  wife  was  Mary  Collier  Gibson,  of  Richmond, 
Virginia,  They  had  one  son,  Dewitt  C.  Eldredge,  His  second 
wife  was  May  Brown,  of  Seaford,  Delaware.  His  present  wife  is 
Sarah  Janney,  of  Baltimore,  Maryland.  They  have  two  sons,  John 
Somers  Eldredge  and  Pemberton  Eldredge. 

Captain  John  Somers  Eldredge  has  been  for  many  years  engaged 
in  the  Old  Bay  Line  Steamship  Company,  residing  the  most  of  his 
time  in  Norfolk,  Virginia. 

7th.  Emmaline  Vangilder  Eldredge,  resides  with  her  sister,  Mrs. 
Hannah  A.  Crowell,  in  Philadelphia. 

8th.  William  Augustus  Eldredge.  He  is  a  Claim  Agent  for  the 
Louisville,  New  Orleans  and  Texas  Railroad,  and  resides  at 
Memphis,  Tennessee,     He  is  unmarried. 

9th.  Eliza  Langdon  Eldredge,  the  youngest  and  unmarried, 
resides  with  her  mother  on  the  old  homestead  at  Cold  Spring, 
Cape  May  county. 

6.  Stilwell  Eldredge,  the  sixth  child  of  Aaron  and  Hannah  L. 
Eldredge  was  born  at  Cape  May,  August  6,  1806,  and  died  in 
Philadelphia,  July  14, 1849,  aged  forty-two  years,  eleven  months  and 
eight  days.  In  his  early  years  his  parents  sent  him  to  Philadelphia 
to  learn  the  tailoring  and  clothing  business,  and  he  continued 
in  it,  with  varied  successes,  all  his  life.  He  was  married  September 
2,  1830,  to  Mary  Benner,  by  Rev.  Charles  Hoover,  She  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  December  18,  181 2,  and  was  married  there  the 
second  time  to  a  Mr.  Young,  and  died  November  24,  1882,  aged 
sixty-nine  years,  eleven  months  and  six  days. 

Mr,  Eldredge  was  for  many  years  an  active  member  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  Northern  Liberties,  of  Philadelphia,  and  he 
was,  also,  for  many  years  an  active  member  of  its  Board  of  Trustees. 
His  son,  Charles  H.  Eldredge,  writes  me, — "  Father  died  suddenly. 
He  and  mother  had  been  down  to  Cape  May  to  attend  the  funeral 
of  his  brother  Jeremiah  (who  had  died  suddenly  of  cholera).  They 
arrived  home  on  Friday  morning.  Father  was  taken  down  with 
the  cholera  and  died  on  the  next  day,  Saturday,  about  nine  o'clock 
in  the  evening."  How  sudden  !  How  solemn  !  Surely  in  the 
midst  of  life,  we  are  in  death. 


30. 

The  following  beautiful  testimonial  of  Mrs.  Mary  Benner  Eldredge 
(Young)  was  written  by  her  former  pastor  the  Rev.  Thomas  J, 
Shepherd,  D.  D.  "Died  on  the  evening  of  Friday,  November  24, 
1882,  at  the  residence  of  her  daughter,  Miss  Emma  L.  Eldredge, 
near  Wayne  station,  on  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  Mrs.  Mary  B. 
Young,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  her  age.  More  than  fifty  years 
ago,  amid  the  scenes  of  a  powerful  revival  of  religion  in  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  Northern  Liberties,  Philadelphia,  Rev.  James 
Patterson,  pastor,  Mrs.  Young  made  a  public  profession  of  her  faith 
and  hope  in  the  Lord  Jesus.  Through  a  long  life  she  witnessed  the 
sincerity  of  the  profession  then  made  by  a  singularly  earnest  piety, 
and  by  the  heartiest  sympathy  with  all  that  is  pure  and  lovely.  She 
was  pre-eminently  a  good  woman,  revealing  as  wife  and  mother,  in 
the  sheltered  world  of  home,  the  finest  traits  of  consecrated  woman- 
hood, and  displaying  in  the  wider  spheres  of  social  life  and  of 
Christian  activity  whatever  is  generous  in  friendship  and  graceful 
in  charity.  She  loved  God's  house,  never  absenting  herself  either 
from  the  throng  of  public  worshippers  or  from  the  smaller  band  of 
praying  ones.  She  loved  God's  people  and  God's  ministers,  identi- 
fying herself  with  all  plans  and  agencies  for  doing  good,  and  giving 
to  each  of  the  pastors  she  had  known  the  fullest  confidence  and 
the  best  help.  Among  the  latest  utterances  of  her  trust  in  the 
Divine  Saviour,  and  of  her  assured  hope  of  eternal  blessedness 
through  Him,  were  touchingly  mingled  very  tender  messages  to 
her  Christian  friends,  and  urgent  charges  to  her  children  not  to 
forget  the  church  of  her  early  vows  and  life-long  love.  When  at 
length  the  silver  cord  which  bound  her  to  earth  was  about  to  be 
loosed,  she  sank  into  the  quiet  sleep  of  a  little  child,  and  awaked 
in  the  home  of  the  glorified.  '  And  there  shall  be  no  night  there  ; 
and  they  need  no  candle,  neither  light  of  the  sun,  for  the  Lord  God 
giveth  them  light ;  and  they  shall  reign  forever  and  ever.'  " 

Stilwell   Eldredge  and  Mary  Benner  Eldredge,  had  the  following 
seven  children : 

Charles  Hoover  Eldredge,  born  June  13,  1831. 

Emma  Lamier  Eldredge,  born  August  25,  1833. 

James  Henry  Stevens   Eldredge,  born   September  12,  1835,  and 
died  March  19,  1879,  aged  43  )iears,  six  months  and  seven  days. 

George  Patterson  Eldredge,  born  September  i,  1838. 


31. 

Mary  Adelaide  Eldredge,  born  December  27,  1840. 

Anna  Louisa  Carroll  Eldredge,  born  October  i,  1843,  and  died 
May  6,  1845,  aged  one  year,  seven  months  and  five  days. 

Anna  Caroline  Ely  Eldredge,  born  January  30  1846,  and  died 
April  3,  1849,  aged  three  years,  three  months  and  three  days. 

All  the  dead  are  buried  in  the  Laurel  Hill  cemetery,  Philadelphia. 
The  living  are — 

I  St.  Charles  H.  Eldredge,  the  first  son  of  Stilwell  and  Mary  B. 
Eldredge,  was  pious,  consistent,  kind  and  true  from  his  youth  up. 
He  early  learned  the  tailoring  and  clothing  business  in  the  reliable 
firm  of  Painter  &  Eldredge,  corner  of  /th  and  Market  streets,  Phila- 
delphia, and  adhered  to  it  faithfully.  As  a  man  he  has  had  a  lovely 
disposition,  easy  manners,  steady  habits,  an  accommodating  and 
benevolent  spirit,  and  has  been  a  faithful  husband  and  an  affectionate 
father.  He  has  been  an  active  and  useful  member  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  from  his  manhood.  He  united  with  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Northern  Liberties,  Philadelphia,  April, 
1848,  in  his  seventeenth  year,  and  he  was  for  ten  years  an  acceptable 
trustee  of  that  church.  Afterwards  he  was  an  honored  trustee  for 
fifteen  years  in  the  Wayne  Presbyterian  Church,  and  for  sixteen  years 
its  successful  Sabbath  School  Superintendent.  He  has  been  a  man 
of  strict  integrity,  and  a  successful  merchant  tailor  at  113  South 
Ninth  street,  Philadelphia,  He  found  a  good  wife  from  the  Lord, 
and  we  read  that  on  November  27,  1855,  Charles  Hoover  Eldredge 
was  married  to  Sarah  Ann  Harrington,  by  Rev.  Charles  D.  Cooper. 
She  was  born  August  23,  1832.  This  union  was  blessed  with  two 
children,  a  daughter  and  a  son,  viz.: — 

(i).  Maria  Florence  Eldredge,  born  November  14,  1856,  and 
married  on  Thursday,  July  24,  1890,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Wayne,  Pa.,  to  Oliver  Sloan  Haines,  M.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  by  the 
pastor.  Rev.  William  A.  Patton,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  George  T. 
Purves,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa. 

(2.)  Charles  Stilwell  Eldredge,  born  November  20,  1859.  He 
was  married  December,  1880,  to  Helen  G.  Montgomery,  who  died 
March  15,  1886.  Their  children  were — Charles  H.  Eldredge,  born 
December  23,  1881,  and  died  September  12,  1887,  aged  five  years, 
eight  months  and  nineteen  days,  and  Howard  Montgomery  Eldredge, 
born  August  19,  1884. 


33. 

2d.  James  Henry  Stevens  Eldredge,  the  second  son  of  Stilwell 
and  Mary  B.  Eldredge,  was  educated  in  the  public  and  high  schools 
of  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  (iiligent  student — early  made  a  profession 
of  religion  in  the  Baptist  Church — was  married  February  i6,  1861, 
to  Eliza  F.  Linerd — was  a  successful  teacher,  and  was  an  active  and 
devoted  worker  in  his  Master's  vineyard  until  called  away  by  death. 
The  following  just  memorial  that  was  pulished  of  him  in  one  of  the 
Philadelphia  papers,  is  full,  satisfactory  and  highly  creditable  : — 

IN  MEMQRIAM. 

James  Henry  Eldredge  was  born  in  this  city  in  September,  1835. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  pupils  of  the  Hancock  Grammar  School, 
located  at  Twelfth  and  Coates  streets,  then  in  charge  of  Professor 
Nicholas  H.  Maguire.  He  entered  the  High  School  in  1848,  and, 
after  finishing  the  course  of  study  prescribed  in  that  institution,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  Lewisburg  University,  where  he  remained  for 
several  years.  Shortly  after  leaving  college  he  became  a  teacher, 
creditably  filling  each  position  to  which  he  was  called.  His  marked 
ability  as  an  instructor  and  disciplinarian  secured  for  him  the 
Principalship  of  the  Hancock  Boy's  Grammar  School  in  this  city, 
when  Prof.  Maguire  resigned  that  position  to  take  charge  of  the 
Central  High  School.  In  this  school  he  was  remarkably  successful. 
Entirely  devoted  to  the  interests  of  his  pupils,  unceasing  in  his 
efforts  for  their  moral  and  mental  improvement,  thoroughly  imbued 
with  a  love  for  his  work,  able,  enterprising  and  persevering,  there 
could  be  but  one  result.  He  won  the  regard  of  his  pupils,  he  was 
their  friend  as  well  as  their  teacher,  and  when  he  passed  from  the 
school  room  into  another  vocation,  he  carried  with  him  the  respect 
and  love  of  all. 

Engaging  in  business  in  1865,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Eldredge 
&  Brother,  he  exhibited  the  same  degree  of  enterprise,  industry  and 
ability  that  marked  his  character  as  a  teacher,  and  aided  largely  in 
establishing  the  house  in  its  present  position. 

But  the  qualities  which  most  endeared  him  to  his  friends  were 
his  singularly  mild  and  gentle  disposition;  his  open  hand  and  heart; 
his  eagerness  to  assist  those  who  needed  help ;  and,  above  all,  his 
earnest,  childlike.  Christian  faith  and  belief 

Every  life  that  bears  an  impress  for  good  on  those  with  whom  it  is 


3S. 

brought  in  contact,  is  a  successful  life,  and  in  this  respect  the  life 
of  James  H.  Eldredge  was  a  success  in  the  grandest,  noblest  sense 
of  the  word.  Let  those  of  us  who  knew  and  loved  him  take  the 
lesson  of  his  life  into  our  hearts.  While  the  eye  may  grow  dim 
with  tears,  and  the  heart  throb  with  sorrow  at  the  thought  that  we 
have  parted  with  him  forever,  yet  let  us  "rejoice  and  be  exceeding 
glad"  with  the  comforting  thought  that  he  has  entered  into  his 
reward ;  that  for  him  there  is  no  more  pain,  no  more  sorrow,  no 
more  anguish.  And  let  us,  from  his  earnest,  beautiful  life,  and  his 
peaceful  passing  to  rest,  learn  so  to  live  that  when  our  summons 
comes,  we  may,  like  him, 

'•  Sustained  and  soothed 
By  an  unfaltering  trust,  approach  our  graves, 
Like  one  that  draws  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
About  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

Two  children  were  born  to  James  H.  and  Eliza  F.  Eldredge,  viz: 

Joseph  Linerd  Eldredge,  born  November  26,  1861,  and  Anna 
Eldredge,  born  June  5,  1866. 

3d.  George  Patterson  Eldredge,  third  son  of  Stilwell  and  Mary 
B.  Eldredge,  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Phila- 
delphia— taught  for  some  years  in  Central  Pennsylvania — married 
Miss  Lizzie  Wallace,  of  Sinking  Valley,  Blair  County,  Pa.,  and 
afterwards,  in  1865,  went  into  the  book  business  with  his  brother 
James  H.  Eldredge,  in  Philadelphia.  He  has  been  an  enterprising, 
energetic  and  successful  business  man. 

4th.  Emma  L.  Eldredge,  and  5th.  Mary  Adelaide  Eldredge,  the 
first  and  second  daughters,  and  the  only  daughters  now  living,  of 
Stilwell  and  Mary  B.  Eldredge,  received  each  an  excellent  education 
in  the  varied  schools  of  Philadelphia — early  enlisted  their  energies 
in  the  cause  ot  Christ — devoted  themselves  especially  to  the  cause 
of  education,  and  have  been  very  successful  teachers  in  several 
important  schools,  both  in  Philadelphia  and  in  its  vicinity.  They 
have  exerted  a  wide  and  commanding  influence  for  good  upop 
many  children  and  youth  for  both  the  present  and  coming  generations. 
All  such  are  truly  blessed. 

7.  Hon.  George  M.  Eldredge  was  the  seventh  child  of  Aaron 
and   Hannah  L.  Eldredge.     I  copy  the  following  of  him  from  the 


34. 

Rev.  Dr.  S.  J.  M.  Eaton's  biographical  catalogue  of  Washington  and 
Jefferson  college,  Pa.,  published  in  1889: — 

"Born  at  Cold  Spring,  Cape  May  County,  N.  J.,  December  6, 
18 10;  graduated  at  Jeflferson  College,  Pa.,  1837;  teacher  and  law 
student  at  Lowndes  County,  Ala.,  '38  ;  practiced  law  Haynesville^ 
Ala.,  '40 — '50,  De  Soto  Parish,  La.,  '50;  President  Police  Jury,  and 
Judge  Supreme  Court  of  Southern  District  of  Louisiana;  Louisiana 
Legislature  '66 — '62>;  British  Honduras  '68 — '70;  Vermilion  Parish, 
La., '70 — 'Z6;  Louisiana  Legislature '84;  Elder  Presbyterian  Church; 
married  '42,  Emma  E.  Frierson  ;  died  at  his  residence,  Abbeville, 
La.,  after  a  long  illness,  April  27,  1886,  aged  seventy-five  years,  four 
months  and  twenty-one  days." 

An  Abbeville,  La.,  paper  certified  that — "  He  was  a  man  of  firm 
integrity,  spotless  honor,  and  strong  convictions.  So  highly 
impressed  were  our  people  with  his  mental  and  moral  merit  that 
they  chose  him  (much  against  his  own  inclinations  and  despite  his 
advancing  years)  by  an  overwhelming  majority  to  represent  them 
in  the  Legislature.  Here  he  soon  made  his  mark.  In  his  death 
his  family  have  lost  a  loving  parent,  his  friends  a  prudent  counselor,, 
the  parish  an  honored  citizen  and  a  wise  and  faithful  official."  On 
his  monument  in  the  Masonic  cemetery,  Abbeville,  Louisiana,  are 
inscribed  the  following  beautiful  words,  "  He  has  crossed  over  the 
river,  and  rests  under  the  shadow  of  the  tree  of  life." 

Mrs.  Emma  Elizabeth  (Frierson)  Eldredge,  his  wife,  daughter 
of  John  and  Elizabeth  Mary  (Witten)  Frierson,  was  born  July  5, 
1819,  at  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  and  died  at  her  home  near 
Abbeville,  La.,  January  i,  1890,  aged  seventy  years,  six  months. 
She  was  beautiful  in  her  old  age,  a  model  of  patience  and  christian 
resignation.  Their  daughter,  Mary  Emma  Eldredge,  and  their  son 
Marion  Langdon  Eldredge  with  his  family,  still  live  to  mourn  their 
double  loss  ;  while  their  first  child,  George  Frierson  Eldredge,  who 
was  born  in  Lowndes  county,  Alabama,  June  10,  1843,  died  in 
Augusta,  Georgia,  September  15,  1844,  and  was  buried  in  Lowndes 
county,  Alabama.  I  add  the  following  published  record  from 
the  "Vermilion  Star,"  Abbeville,  La.,  January  3,  1890.  "Mrs. 
Emma  E.  Eldredge  was  born  in  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  but 
moved  to  Louisiana  soon  after  her  marriage,  settling  in  De  Soto 
parish,  where  her  brothers.  Dr.  George  and  Robert  Frierson  had 


35. 

preceded  her.  She  leaves  a  son  and  daughter  and  a  large  family 
of  relatives  to  mourn  her  loss;  and  in  this  hour  of  sadness  we 
intermingle  our  tears  with  theirs,  for  we  know  how  dearly  beloved 
she  was,  and  how  much  dear  Aunt  Emma  will  be  missed  by  those 
whom  she  loved.  She  has  gone  where  loved  ones  stand  waiting 
anxiously  for  her  coming." 

Mary  Emma,  daughter  of  George  M.  and  Emma  E.  Eldredge, 
was  born  March  4,  1846,  Lowndes  county,  Ala. ;  is  an  excellent 
christian  lady,  enjoys  only  moderate  health,  and  lives  pleasantly 
with  her  kind  brother  and  his  family  on  their  home  estate  near 
Abbeville,  La. 

Marion  Langdon,  son  of  George  M.  and  Emma  E.  Eldredge, 
was  born  May  24,  1848,  Lowndes  county,  Alabama,  and  was 
married  to  Daisy  Alison,  daughter  of  Lockwood  and  Ann  Judson 
Alison,  December,  19,  1878,  De  Soto  parish.  La.  Daisy  Alison 
was  born  September  15,  1857,  De  Soto  parish.  La.  Her  lather  was 
a  physician,  (M.  D.)  and  her  grandfather  on  her  mother's  side  was 
a  Baptist  clergyman,  the  Rev.  Jesse  Hartwell,  D.  D.  He  was  born 
in  Massachusetts,  and  labored  in  Louisiana  and  Arkansas.  He 
died  at  Mount  Lebanon,  La.  Her  father  is  still  a  practicing 
physician  in  De  Soto  parish,  La.,  at  eighty-four  years  of  age. 

The  children  of  Marion  L.  and  Daisy  A.  Eldredge  are — 

(i)  Langdon  Marion  Eldredge,  born  September  25,  1879,  in 
Vermilion  Parish,  Louisiana. 

(2)  Hartwell  Alison  Eldredge,  born  July  6,  1881,  in  Vermilion 
Parish,  Louisiana. 

(3)  George  M.  Eldredge,  born  August  11,  1883,  in  Vermilion 
Parish,  Louisiana, 

(4)  Annie  Lucile  Eldredge,  born  July  2,  1886,  in  Vermilion 
Parish  Louisiana.  All  the  children  are  well  behaved,  and  the 
family  is  a  very  pleasant  one. 

8.  Ephraim  Eldredge,  the  eighth  and  last  child  of  Aaron  and 
Hannah  L.  Eldredge,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N,  J.,  October  6. 
1812.  After  receiving  the  usual  common  school  education  he  was 
sent  by  his  parents  to  Philadelphia,  to  learn  the  bookbinding  business, 
and  placed  under  the  care  of  a  worthy  and  reliable  firm  there.  This 
was  the  main  business  of  his  life,  and  he  became  master  of  it.  He 
united  upon  profession  of  faith  with  the  Baptist  Church,  and  on 


September  22,  1835,  ^^^  was  married  to  Sarah  Paj-ran,  by  the  Rev, 
John  L.  Grant,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  Philadelphia.  He  was 
a  deacon  in  the  First  Baptist  Church  until  the  time  of  his  death,  a 
period  of  fifteen  years.  He  departed  this  life  at  his  own  residence, 
No.  13  W.  Barnard  street,  West  Chester,  Pa.,  August  13,  1887. aged 
seventy-four  years,  ten  months  and  seven  days,  and  was  buried 
August  17,  at  Oakland  cemetery.  West  Chester,  Pa.  His  memory 
is  blessed. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Payran  Eldredge,  his  Avidow,  was  born  in  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  March  8,  18 13,  and  still  lives  with  their  youngest 
daughter,  Miss  Samaria  Anna  Eldredge,  at  West  Chester,  Pa. 

Ephraim  and  Sarah  P.  Eldredge  had  eight  children — four  sons 
and  four  daughters — all  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  except  the  fourth 
child  who  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.  Of  these  five  are  now 
living,  three  sons  and  two  daughters — all  professors  of  religion,  and 
all  married  but  one,  the  youngest  daughter. 

1st.  Livingston  Aaron  Eldredge,  born  August  5,  1836,  and  died. 
May  15,  1837,  aged  nine  months  and  ten  days. 

2d.  Livingston  Aaron  Eldredge,  born  January  i,  1838.  He 
learned  the  carpenter's  trade ;  was  married  to  Rachel  L.  Freason, 
October  5,  1869,  by  Rev.  R.  H.  Patterson,  of  the  M.  E.  Church 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  and  resides  at  Hammonton,  Atlantic  County,  New 
Jersey.  Livingston  A.  and  Rachel  L.  Eldredge  have  one  daughter, 
Ida  May  Eldredge. 

3d.  Salonia  Imlah  Eldredge,  born  May  25,  1840;  was  married 
to  William  Bernshouse  August  20,  1863,  by  Rev.  Thomas  Davis, 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  Hammonton,  New  Jersey,  where  they 
now  reside,  her  husband's  occupation  being  that  oi  a  builder  and 
contractor.  Three  sons  and  one  daughter  have  been  added  to  their 
household — William  Henry  Bernshouse,  Albert  Livingston  Berns- 
house, Andrew  Hays  Bernshouse,  and  Samaria  Anna  Bernshouse. 
The  eldest  son,  William  Henry  Bernshouse  was  married  May  30, 
1890,  to  Rosetta  Taylor,  of  Maryland. 

4th.  Barrington  Sanford  Eldredge  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J., 
^March  26,  1843 ;  is  by  occupation  a  bookbinder  and  stationer  ;  was 
married  first,  to  Ettie  Blanche  McDowell,  March  28,  1864,  by  Rev. 
P.  S.  Henson,  D.  D.,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  of  Philadelphia,  and 
was  married  second,  to  Sallie  A.  McLean,  November  7,  1887,  by 


37: 

Rev.  I.  B.  Hartman,  D.  D.,  of  Central  Baptist  Church,  Trenton,  N. 
J.  He  has  one  daughter  and  one  son — Florence  Beatrice  Eldredge 
and  Harry  Barrington  Eldredge. 

5th.  Anna  Samaria  Eldredge,  born  May  13,  1845,  and  died  August 
13,  1847,  aged  two  years  and  three  months. 

6th.  Sarah  Eldredge,  born  June  17,  1847,  ^'^^  *^i^^  September  12, 
1847,  aged  two  months  and  twenty-five  days. 

7th.  William  Henry  Eldredge  was  born  July  3,  1848  ;  is  a  Baptist 
minister;  was  married  to  Maurie  Annie  Souder,  May  17,  1885,  by 
Rev.  E.  L.  Magoon,  D.  D.,  of  the  Broad  Street  Baptist  Church,  of 
Philadelphia.  They  reside  in  East  Stroudsburg,  Monroe  County, 
Pa.,  and  have  one  daughter — Clara  Henson  Eldredge. 

8th.  Samaria  Anna  Eldredge  was  born  December  13,  1851;  is 
unmarried ;  is  a  successful  school  teacher,  and  resides  with  her 
mother  at  West  Chester,  Chester  County,  Pa. 

The  total  number  of  children,  grandchildren  and  great-grand- 
children of  the  Eldredge  group  of  families;  separate  from  the  daugh- 
ter, Eliza  Eldredge,  is  one  hundred  and  forty-four,  of  whom  one 
hundred  and  seven  are  now  living — the  most  of  whom  are  professors 
of  religion  and  all  are  doing  well.  A  goodly  number  to  live  and 
work  for  Jesus  i 


38. 


JAMES  RAINY  HUGHES. 

My  FATHER — James  Rainy  Hughes — was  the  youngest  child  of 
Jacob  and  Ann  Lawrence  Hughes, 

My 'MOTHER — Eliza  Eldredge  Hughes — was  the  third  child, 
and  the  only  daughter  of  Aaron  and  Hannah  Langdon  Eldredge. 
Both  my  father  and  mother  were  healthy  and  vigorous.  They  were 
endowed  with  good  bodies,  good  minds  and  good  hearts. 

They  had  twelve  children — six  sons  and  six  daughters — viz  : — 
Jeremiah  Eldredge,  Ann  Lawrence,  Daniel  Lawrence,  Joseph 
Eldredge,  William  Giddis,  Harriet  Newell,  James  Potter,  Hannah 
Eliza,  Mary  Bennett,  Emma  Melinda,  Amelia  Foster  and  Jacob 
Van  Rensalear. 

As  to  the  history  of  my  parents,  I  would  say — my  father  was  born 
in  the  New  England  settlement.  Lower  township,  Cape  May  County, 
N.  J.,  July  6,  1791.  My  mother  was  born  in  the  Cold  Spring 
settlement,  same  township  and  county,  December  15,  1796.  They 
were  married  January  9,  181 5. 

My  father  was  only  four  years  and  eight  months  old  when  his 
father  died,  and  after  some  years  his  mother  was  married  again  to 
Jeremiah  Edmonds. 

As  his  father  had  left  him  a  farm  adjoining  that  of  his  oldest 
brother,  Jacob,  it  seems  that  the  arrangement  was  made,  as  my 
father  told  me,  that  this  brother  should  manage  both  farms,  educate 
James,  and  provide  for  him  nntil  he  was  of  age  and  could  come 
legally  into  the  possession  of  his  own  farm.  Accordingly  he  was 
sent  away  at  a  suitable  age  to  the  Bridgeton  Academy,  Cumberland 
County,  N.  J.,  the  best  school  in  that  whole  region.  He  remained 
there  as  a  diligent  and  successful  student  ;  mastering  Navigation, 
Mensuration,  Surveying  and  Philosophy,  as  well  as  the  common 
branches  of  study,  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  Then  he 
was  called  home  to  take  charge  of  a  school  in  his  native  township. 
And  so  well  was  he  prepared  for  this  work  by  his  attainments, 
industry,  energy  and  skill  in  discipline,  that  he  won  readily  the 
confidence  of  all  his  patrons.  He  Avas  so  successful  in  his  teaching 
that  he  made  it  ever  after,  in  connection  with  the  oversight  of  his 
farm,  for  forty  years,  a  life  work  in  his  own  neighborhood — either 


James  Rainy  Hughes.  Mrs   Eliza  1\.  Hughes.  Mrs.  Ann  L.  Foster. 


Judge  Joseph  E.  Hughes.  Rev.  Charles  M.  Oaklej'.  Mrs.  Harriet  N.  Oakley. 


Rev.  James  P.  Hughes.  Mrs.  Kmily  W.  Ilnglies.  Mrs,  :\lary  B.  Fletcher. 


Mrs.  Kniina  M.  Rohorts.  Rev.  Jacob  A'.  Hughes.  .Mr^,.  i;ii/:ilirlh   .AI.  Hughes 


THE  JAIVIES    K.   HUGHES    GROUP. 


3ff. 

in  the  Cold  Spring  School  House,  one  mile  east  of  his  residence,  or 
in  the  Cape  School  House,  two  miles  south  of  it.  He  thus  helped 
to  give  all  the  young  people  there  a  sound  and  thoroughly  practical 
education  ;  while  as  he  had  the  Bible  daily  read  in  his  schools,  and 
often  opened  and  closed  them  with  prayer,  and  exhorted  his  scholars 
to  lead  pious,  useful  and  happy  lives,  many  good  impressions  were 
made  never  to  be  forgotten.  No  one  can  measure  the  degree  and 
extent  of  his  influence  for  good  in  this  one  department  of  his  life 
work. 

More  than  forty  years  after,  Mr.  Francis  F.  Hughes,  formerly  of 
Cape  May,  and  a  second  cousin  of  my  wife,  and  I,  with  our  families, 
were  unknowingly  and  providentially  thrown  within  ten  miles  of 
each  other,  in  Benton  County,  Iowa,  We  soon  learned  the  fact 
and  visited  each  other.  Mr,  Hughes  was  now  an  industrious, 
conscientious  and  popular  business  man,  zealous  in  behalf  of  both 
Sabbath  Schools  and  temperance,  and  a  devoted  and  consistent  Chris- 
tian worker  in  the  M.  E.  Church.  We  had  not  seen  each  other  since 
we  were  boys  attending  my  father's  school  together.  So  soon  as  we 
met  and  spoke  of  our  boyhood  days  he  stated  that  my  father  gave 
him  all  the  schooling  he  ever  had.  And  many  others  have  borne 
the  same  testimony  ;  while  others  have  told  me  that  his  brief  and 
pointed  pious  addresses,  with  his  plain  illustrations,  had  been 
impressed  upon  them  for  life. 

Although  a  moral,  steady  and  industrious  young  man,  a  farmer 
and  school  teacher  combined,  my  father  was  not  a  professor  of 
religion  when  he  married  Eliza  Eldredge.  She  was  already  a 
member  of  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  devotedly 
pious  young  woman,  and,  my  father  added  to  me,  the  prettiest  and 
most  modest  young  woman  in  the  county.  On  the  very  evening  of 
their  marriage,  he  said,  she  erected  the  family  altar  and  led  in  prayer 
The  fire  started  on  that  altar  that  night  has  never  gone  out.  It  will 
be  kept  burning,  I  trust,  to  the  latest  generation. 

After  a  little,  my  father  became  deeply  convinced  of  his  sins ; 
and  so  burdened  was  he  on  account  of  them,  that  he  told  me  as  he 
was  ploughing  in  his  front  field,  at  every  end  of  his  furrow  he  had 
to  leave  his  plough  and  enter  the  little  thicket  there,  and  on  his 
knees  humbly  and  earnestly  pray  that  God  would  have  mercy  on  him, 
until  the  Lord  heard  his  prayer  and  granted  him  pardon  and  peace. 


He  then  made  a  profession  of  religion,  uniting  with  the  Presbyterian 
Church  on  May  19, 1 815,  a  httle  over  four  months  after  that  wedding 
night  of  united  family  prayer.  Four  years  after  this  event,  or  on  June 
8,  1 8 19,  when  he  was  about  twenty- eight  years  of  age,  he  was  elected 
and  ordained  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  he  continued  in  that  office  there  for  forty-six  years  until  his 
death.  He  organized  the  Cold  Spring  Sabbath  School,  which  was 
the  first  Sabbath  School  in  Cape  May  County,  and  was  its  first  and 
only  Superintendent  for  over  thirty  years.  His  influence  here  for 
good  in  every  direction  was  marked,  controlling  and  enduring. 

My  father  and  mother  together  moulded  too,  under  God,  by  their 
instructions,  discipline,  example  and  prayers,  a  large  family  of 
twelve  children  for  good  in  their  day  and  generation.  They  saw 
eye  to  eye,  or  were  united,  in  their  family  training — early  dedicating 
us  to  God  in  baptism  ;  praying  with  us  and  for  us ;  enjoining 
obedience  on  us  at  home;  instructing  us  in  the  Bible  ;  requiring  of 
each  of  the  children  the  accurate  memorizing  and  recitation  of  the 
Shorter  Catechism ;  taking  us  regularly  to  Church,  to  the  Sabbath 
School,  and  to  the  prayer  meeting;  and  requiring  of  us  good 
behaviour  in  all  such  places,  as  well  as  at  home. 

My  parents,  whilst  charitable  and  courteous  towards  other 
evaneelical  churches,  never  wavered  in  their  attachment  to  the 
doctrines,  polity  and  worship  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  ;  and  they 
never  encouraged,  or  permitted,  their  children  to  neglect  their  own 
church  to  run  loosely  anywhere  and  everywhere  else.  Hence  as 
a  family  they  remained  standard  in  their  own  Presbyterian  Church. 

I  knew  my  mother  had  her  closet  to  which  she  daily  resorted  to 
commune  with  God,  and  to  obtain  grace  for  every  hour  of  duty  and 
trial.  She  said  to  me  that  her  Bible  and  her  closet,  leading  her  to 
her  Saviour,  were  the  sources  of  her  strength  and  comfort.  I  can 
remember,  too,  that  the  women  in  the  church  of  that  day  kept  up 
their  own  weekly  prayer  meetings  from  house  to  house  ;  and  my 
mother,  with  all  her  family  cares,  would  attend  them,  even  if  she 
went  a  mile  or  two  on  foot,  and  then  would  bear  her  part  in  them. 
Under  these  wholesome  influences  and  surroundings  all  the  children, 
but  one  who  died  by  accident  in  falling  into  a  frying  pan  of  hot  fat 
when  two  years  old,  grew  up  to  full  manhood  and  womanhood, 
healthy,  industrious,  sound  in  the  faith,  professors  of  religion,  and 


41. 

prepared  in  both  body  and  soul  for  their  varied  responsibilities  in 
life.  Three  of  their  sons  became  not  only  teachers,  but  Presbyterian 
ministers,  and  one  of  them  became  not  only  a  useful  and  honored 
teacher  for  many  years  in  his  native  county,  but  also  a  faithful  Rul'nj 
Elder,  first  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  afterwards 
in  the  Cape  Island  Presbyterian  Church  ;  while  three  of  their 
daughters  married  Presbyterian  ministers — all  seven  of  whom  are 
still  living  and  useful  in  the  Master's  Vineyard.  Another  daughter 
married  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  an  intelli- 
gent, pious  and  useful  man — a  son  of  one  of  the  aged  Ruling  Elders 
of  the  church.  Both  this  wife  and  her  husband  are  now  dead,  but 
they  have  left  a  large  family  of  sons  and  daughters,  all  followers  of 
Christ,  and  active  and  useful  in  their  several  places  and  relations, 
and  so  they  do  honor  to  the  memory  of  their  parents. 

I  write  all  this  to  emphasize  God's  covenant  with  all  his  people, 
and  to  show  his  faithfulness  in  fulfilling  all  his  covenant  promises 
in  exact  proportion  to  our  meeting  all  our  covenant  obligations.  It 
is  but  one  well  known  example,  out  of  others  that  might  be 
mentioned,  given  to  encourage  and  stimulate  afresh  all  our  pious 
households  to  renewed  mutual  endeavors  to  love  and  serve  the  Lord. 

I  esteemed  my  father  highly.  I  thought  him  energetic  and 
diligent  in  all  his  business,  kind  and  considerate  to  the  poor, 
conscientious  and  devoted  in  the  discharge  of  all  his  religious  duties 
in  the  family,  the  Sabbath  School  and  the  church,  and  loving, 
helpful,  and  strict  in  the  training  of  his  children.  I  loved  my  mother 
and  confided  in  her  very  much,  although  I  was  often  self-willed 
and  disobedient.  She  was  always  thoughtful  of  her  children, 
watchful  over  them,  laborious  in  her  provisions  for  their  comfort, 
and  faithful  in  her  instruction  and  discipline  of  them. 

My  beloved  parents,  amidst  usual  human  infirmities  and  struggles, 
accomplished  well  by  the  grace  of  God  their  work ;  and  now  their 
bodies  lie  quietly  sleeping  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  cemetery, 
but  their  souls  are  enjoying  in  heaven  the  promised  reward — while 
their  children  rise  up  and  call  them  blessed.  My  father  died  when 
nearly  seventy-four  years  old,  and  my  mother  died  a  little  over 
seventy-nine  years  of  age.  My  brother-in-law,  Downs  E.  Foster, 
attended  on  my  father  during  his  last  sickness,  in  the  absence  of 
all    his  children,  and    when    he  asked    him  what  was    his   dying 


42. 

message  to  his  absent  children,  he  rcph'ed,  "  Tell  them  all  I  die 
with,  a  good  hope  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

On  my  father's  tombstone  is  the  following  inscription — James  R. 
Hughes,  born  July  6, 1791,  died  March  13,  1865,  aged  sevent3^-three 
years,  eight  months  and  seven  days.  A  Ruling  Elder  in  the  Cold 
Spring  Presbyterian  Church  nearly  forty-six  years,  and  for  over 
thirty  years  the  successful  Superintendent  of  the  first  Sabbath 
School.  "Well  done  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into 
the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

On  my  mother's  tombstone  are  the  words  "  Mrs.  Eliza  E.  Hughes, 
wife  of  James  R.  Hughes,  was  born  December  15,  1796,  died 
January  6,  1876,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  and  twenty-two  days.  I 
shall  behold  my  Saviour's  face." 

I  record  here  the  obituary  notice  published  of  her  in  the  Cape 
May,  N.  J.,  Ocean  Wave,  January  22,  1876. 

"  Died  January  6,  1876,  at  Unionville,  Center  county,  Pa.,  at  the 
residence  of  her  son,  Rev.  J.  V.  R.  Hughes,  Mrs.  Eliza  E.  Hughes^ 
aged  seventy-nine  years  and  twenty-two  days.  She  was  the  widow 
of  the  late  James  R.  Hughes,  for  many  years  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the 
Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  Cape  May  county,  N.  J.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Hughes  were  both  descendants  of  the  early  settlers  of  the 
Lower  township,  of  Cape  May.  They  had  a  family  of  children 
which  they  endeavored  to  bring  up  in  the  admonition  of  the  Lord, 
and  their  labors  were  not  in  vain.  Three  sons  are  now  ministers 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church ;  one  son  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the  Cold 
Spring  Church ;  three  daughters  are  married  to  Presbyterian 
clergymen,  one  is  the  wife  of  Rev.  John  Roberts,  missionary  in 
China.  It  is  but  seldom  such  a  record  is  made  of  any  one  family. 
Mrs.  Hughes  was  over  sixty  years  a  member  of  the  church.  She 
had  her  trials  but  they  were  sanctified  to  her.  She  was  ever 
hopeful  and  cheerful,  and  when  the  Master  called  her  to  be  with 
Him,  she  was  ready  and  waiting  for  Him.  To  her  son,  who  had 
just  returned  from  a  funeral,  she  said  :  "  Would  it  be  wrong  to  pray 
that  I  might  be  the  next  to  go?"  And  she  was  the  next  in  his 
congregation.  She  took  her  breakfast  with  the  family  the  day 
previous  to  that  of  her  death  ;  and  on  the  sixth  inst,  while  lying  in 
her  bed,  feeling  no  pain,  she  fell  asleep  in  Jesus.  It  was  her 
request,  made  some  time  before  her  death,  that  her  remains  should 


43. 

be  taken  to  Cold  Spring,  and  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  where  lie 
the  remains  of  so  many  of  her  kindred  and  friends,  and  that  her 
funeral  sermon  should  be  preached  in  the  Cold  Spring  Church — 
which  was  accordingly  done  on  January  9.  The  funeral  sermon 
was  preached  by  her  old  pastor.  Rev.  Moses  Williamson,  "  Blessed 
are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth;  yea,  saith  the 
Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors,  and  their  works  do 
follow  them." 

I.  Jeremiah  Eldredge  Hughes.  As  to  the  children's  history, 
I  observe  Jeremiah  I^ldredge  Hughes  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N. 
J.,  December  10,  181 5,  and  died  at  Gainesville,  Texas,  June  23, 
1884,  aged  sixty-eight  years,  six  months  and  thirteen  days.  He 
was  married  to  Sophronia  Sparks,  at  Gainesville,  Texas,  March 
29,  1857.  She  was  born  in  Nilson  county,  Tennessee,  July  31, 
1834,  and  died  at  Gainesville,  Texas,  April  25,  1880,  aged  forty-five 
years,  eight  months  and  twenty-four  days. 

Jeremiah  E.,  when  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  was  placed  by  his 
father  in  the  hardware  store  of  Messrs.  Walton  and  Hill,  Philadel- 
phia, and  he  remained  with  them  many  years.  Afterwards  he 
engaged  with  a  similar  firm  in  New  Orleans,  Louisiana;  and  when 
Calitornia  opened,  he  gathered  up  his  resources,  bought  a  stock  of 
goods,  went  to  California,  started  a  store  in  the  mines,  and  continued 
there  for  several  years.  After  a  time  he  ceased  writing  home  to 
his  parents.  They  became  anxious  about  him.  and  wrote  several 
letters  to  ascertain  something  about  him  ;  but  all  the  information 
they  could  get  was  from  his  post  master,  who  wrote  saying  the  last 
he  knew  of  him  was  his  getting  some  money  changed,  and  starting 
for  the  North.  For  fifteen  long  years  nothing  was  heard  from  him, 
and  all  the  family,  except  mother,  believed  he  was  dead.  Father 
died  without  knowing  anything  to  the  contrary  ;  but  mother  seemed 
always  to  retain  a  hope  and  belief  that  she  would  live  to  see  him 
yet  again.  After  father's  death  in  1865,  Jeremiah  wrote  him  a  letter 
during  the  year  following,  saying  he  was  alive  and  living  in  Texas. 
He  had  married,  other  cares  occupied  his  time,  the  Civil  War  came 
on,  and  he  wholly  neglected  all  correspondence  until  its  close.  He 
afterwards  came  North  with  his  family  and  spent  a  year  with  his 
brothers  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  and  at  Bellefonte  and  Unionville,  Pa., 


44. 

saw  and  cheered  his  aged  mother,  and  then  returned  to  his  home 
in  Gainesville,  Texas,  where  he  resided  until  his  death — his  wife 
having  preceded  him  to  the  ''  better  country"  several  years  before. 

He  often  wrote  me  that  it  was  his  desire,  prayer  and  effort  that 
he  might  so  live  and  act  here,  as  that  he  might  be  prepared  here- 
after for  the  higher  and  better  sphere  in  the  heavenly  mansions. 
His  daughter,  Adelaide,  writes  me  under  date  of  Gainesville,  Texas, 
February  9,  1890,  the  following  additional  facts  in  his  history — "My 
father  came  to  Gainesville  in  185$,  and  was  about  the  second  or 
third  County  Clerk  for  the  county,  and  was  made  Post  Master.  He 
married  in  1857,  and  built  the  first  brick  house  in  Gainesville. 
After  the  war  he  removed  to  New  Orleans,  La.,  and  was  with 
Foster  and  Son,  a  large  hardware  firm  for  seven  years,  when  we 
went  to  Cape  May  City,  N.  J.,  and  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  and  staid  a  year. 
Then  we  came  back  to  Gainesville,  in  1875,  and  he  engaged  in  the 
dry  goods  business  for  three  years." 

Jeremiah  E.  and  Sophronia  S.  Hughes  had  seven  children. 

George  Eldredge  was  born  August  i,  1858,  and  died  October 
12,  1859. 

A  son  was  born  October  20,  i860,  and  only  lived  a  few  hours. 

A  daughter  was  born  October  22, 1863,  and  only  lived  a  little  while. 

Adelaide  was  born  November  15,  1864. 

James  R.  was  born  January  29,  1867, 

Clara  was  born  November  9,  1869, 

Jessie  was  born  January  26,  1872,  and  died  July  27,  1872,  aged 
six  months  and  one  day. 

Adelaide,  the  oldest  child  living,  received  the  best  education  her 
father  could  afford  her  in  the  higher  schools,  both  at  New  Orleans,. 
La.,  and  at  Gainesville,  Texas,  thus  fitting  her  to  be  a  school  teacher. 
She  started  to  a  select  school  in  New  Orleans  when  she  was  only- 
four  years.  She  was  diligent  and  successful  in  her  studies,  and 
was  rapidly  promoted  until  she  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  When 
fifteen  years  old  she  took  charge  of  a  select  school  in  Gainesville, 
Texas,  and  then  at  the  age  of  eighteen  she  was  called  to  be  the 
second  assistant  in  Professor  Potter's  Academy  at  that  place.  Her 
father  wrote  to  me  of  her,  when  she  was  seven  years  of  age,  thus — 
under  date  of  New  Orleans,  La.,  April  14,  1872,  "Adelaide  is  now 
at  Sunday  School,  where  she  goes  every  Sunday  morning,  when 


45, 

the  weather  permits,  Rev.  Dr.  Markham's,  a  Presbyterian.  She 
goes  to  a  daily  school  and  learns  fast  in  Geography,  Arithmetic, 
etc.,  and  is  a  smart  child."  And  then  again  under  date  of  Gaines- 
ville, Cooke  county,  Texas,  October  2,  1880,  he  writes,  "Adelaide 
is  teaching  school,  second  grade,  second  assistant  in  Professor 
Potter's  Academy  at  this  place.  She  is  a  natural  teacher.  Professor 
Potter  has  taught  all  his  life,  from  the  time  he  graduated,  and  he 
says  he  never  met  in  any  school  room  any  female  teacher  equal  her 
as  a  disciplinarian.  He  is  much  pleased  with  her  as  a  teacher.  I 
have  not  been  able  to  have  her  put  through  college  for  the  first 
degree.  She  passed  her  examination  in  the  second  grade  with 
great  credit  to  herself  and  me.  She  is  a  student.  I  am  proud  of 
her."  Adelaide  continued  to  teach  for  four  years  until  she  was 
married  by  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Keeton,  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  Gainesville,  on  September  15,  1887,  to  Mr.  Cyrus 
Ritchey.  He  was  born  in  Texas,  November/,  1862.  His  parents' 
names  were  Samuel  and  Martha  McCleary.  Mr.  Ritchie  is  engaged 
in  the  insurance  business,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  active  and 
consistent  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

Under  date  of  Gainesville,  Texas,  November  25,  1889,  Adelaide 
wrote  me — "  I  have  a  very  sweet  little  girl  fourteen  months  old, 
that  we  have  named  Annie  Hughes  Ritchey.  She  was  born  on 
September  6,  1888,  and  she  is  the  idol  of  my  grandfather,  who  is  still 
with  me  and  enjoys  tolerably  good  health."  His  full  name  is  Jesse 
Handcock  Sparks,  and  he  will  be  eighty  years  old  in  March,  1890. 

James  R.  attended  school  for  some  time,  and  then  engaged  on  a 
ranch  in  herding  cattle.  After  his  father's  death  he  went  to 
Wichita,  Kansas,  and  acted  as  a  clerk  in  a  store  there  for  a  while. 
He  is  now  employed  in  Denver,  Colorado, 

Clara  attended  school  under  her  sister's  care  and  tuition.  She 
had  talents,  especially  for  music,  and  was  a  good  student.  She 
was  afterwards  sent  to  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  to  receive  a  musical  educa- 
tion, and  is  now  teaching  music  at  Belcherville,  a  little  town  forty 
miles  from  Gainesville. 

2.  Mrs.  Ann  Lawrence  Foster.  I  feel  like  making  special  men- 
tion here  of  the  Foster  family,  because  the  children  and  descendants 
of  my  oldest  sister,  because  of  their  larger  numbers,  and  because 


46, 

of  the  excellentcharacter  of  the  Foster  ancestry.  My  oldest  sister, 
Ann  Lawrence  Hughes,  was  born  November  9,  18 17,  was  married 
to  Downs  E.  Foster,  by  Rev.  Moses  Williamson,  December  19, 
1838,  and  died  at  the  Cape  May  Light  House,  February  16,  1865, 
aged  forty-seven  years,  three  months  and  seven  days.  On  her 
tombstone,  in  the  Cold  Spring  cemetery,  are  engraved  the  tender 
words — "  Thy  loss  regretted,  and  thy  memory  loved."  The  Cape 
May  paper  publishing  her  death,  added, 

'•  So  frtdes  a  Summer  cloud  away, 

So  sinks  the  gale  when  storms  are  o'er, 
So  gently  shuts  the  eye  of  day, 

So  dies  a  wave  along  the  shore," 

Ann  L,  seemed  piously  inclined  from  her  early  childhood.  After 
attending  her  father's  school  several  years  at  Cape  May,  her  parents 
were  encouraged  to  send  her,  when  only  ten  years  old,  to  an  excel- 
lent private  school  in  Philadelphia.  While  there  she  attended  some 
interesting  revival  meetings  conducted  by  Rev.  William  Ramsey,, 
pastor  of  the  Mariner's  Church,  in  that  city.  Under  them  she  was 
deeply  impressed,  and  hopefully  converted  unto  God.  When  she 
returned  home,  only  eleven  years  of  age,  she  united  with  the  Cold 
Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  October  29,  1828,  and  from  that  time 
forward  she  ever  led  a  consistent  and  devoted  Christian  life.  I  well 
remember  the  pious  influence  she  exerted  upon  my  mind,  when  I 
was  a  little  boy,  after  she  returned  from  her  school  in  Philadelphia 
and  sung  one  Sabbath  evening  some  of  the  beautiful  songs  that  she 
had  learned  at  those  revival  meetings  there.  The  following 
thoughts  in  one  of  them  especially  so  impressed  me  that  I  shall 
never  forget  them.  "  Oh,  there  will  be  mourning,  mourning,  at  the 
Judgment  Seat  of  Christ.  Ministers  and  people  there  must  part, 
must  part,  to  meet  no  more.  Parents  and  children,  brothers  and 
sisters,  there  must  part,  must  part,  to  meet  no  more."  Then  she 
sung,  "  Oh,  it  will  be  joyful,  joyful,  at  the  Judgment  Seat  of  Christ. 
Ministers  and  people  there  will  meet,  will  meet,  to  part  no  more. 
Parents  and  children,  brothers  and  sisters,  there  will  meet,  will 
meet,  to  part  no  more."  She  was  always  and  everywhere  the  same 
cheerful,  patient  and  faithful  follower  of  Jesus,  trying  to  do  for  Him 
what  she  could.     All  her  children  loved  her,  looked  up  to  her,  and 


47. 

were   moulded    in   their  principles  and   practices  for  good   by  her. 
And  "  the  heart  of  her  husband  did  safely  trust  in  her." 

Downs  E  Foster,  her  husband,  was  born  at  Fishing  Creek,  Cape 
May  county,  N.  J.,  October  20th,  1807.  He  died  at  the  residence 
of  his  son-in-law,  James  W.  Eldredge,  of  West  Cape  May,  October 
20th,  1886,  aged  exactly  seventy-nine  years.  He  had  been  for  some 
time  simply  waiting  for  the  Master's  call,  and  then  he  passed  quietly 
away  on  the  anniversary  day  of  his  birth.  His  parents  were  Reuben 
and  Nancy  E.  Foster.  His  father  was  born  September  14,  1780, 
and  died  June  24,  1870,  aged  eighty-nine  years,  nine  months  and 
ten  days — after  having  been  an  esteemed  and  faithful  Ruling  Elder 
in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  for  nearly  forty-four  years. 
Downs,  with  his  older  brother  Robert,  who  lived  several  years 
longer,  were  raised  on  the  old  farm  at  Fishing  Creek  ;  but  Downs 
learned  the  carpenter  trade  also  and  became  a  first-class  workman. 
He  was  a  tall  man,  well  proportioned,  had  a  large  brain  and  possessed 
decided  mechanical  genius.  He  had  enjoyed  only  a  common  school 
education,  but  having  a  strong  and  enquiring  mind  he  employed 
his  leisure  hours  in  miscellaneous  reading  and  study  of  valuable 
books,  so  that  he  amassed  a  large  fund  of  information  on  science, 
history,  mechanics,  philosophy  and  religion — which  not  only 
enriched  his  own  mind,  but  made  him  one  of  the  most  agreeable 
and  instructive  companions  in  South  Jersey  to  all  with  whom  he 
associated.  He  afterwards  sought  and  obtained  of  the  United 
States  government  the  position  of  keeper  and  manager  of  the  Cape 
May  Light  House — a  position  of  great  responsibility.  This  he 
retained  for  many  years,  giving  full  satisfaction  of  his  adaptability 
and  efficiency  until  his  advanced  age  required  his  retirement. 
Here  too,  he  delighted  to  entertain  the  multitudes  of  strangers  who 
annually  visited  this  attractive  edifice,  with  explanations  of  the 
philosophy,  peculiarities  an(i  utility  of  these  French  revolving  lights 
by  which  the  Cape  May  Light  House  is  distinguished  from  all  other 
light  houses  along  the  United  States  coasts,  and  by  which  the  tempest- 
tossed  mariners  may  be  guarded  against,  and  saved  from,  the 
imminent  danger  of  this  immediate  locality.  He  was  a  member 
and  a  Trustee  also,  of  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a 
man  of  positive  character  in  both  principle  and  practice.  His 
funeral  was  largely  attended  on  Friday,  October  22,  1886,  by  his 


4?. 

numerous  relatives  and  friends.  His  three  sons,  Reuben,  Samuel 
and  Douglass,  and  their  uncle,  Joseph  E.  Hughes,  acted  as  pall- 
bearers; and  on  his  tombstone  are  the  impressive  words — "  At 
Rest."  I  will  only  add  the  following  brief  extracts  from  the  funeral 
sermon  preached  by  his  pastor,  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Landis.on  the  occasion, 
as  corroborative  of  the  character  of  the  deceased,  and  as  illustrative 
of  the  fulfillment  of  God's  covenant  promises  in  pious  households — 
to  be  held  by  them  in  perpetual  remembrance.  "  This  aged  father's 
faith  was  strong  and  his  influence  always  good,  and,  when  health 
and  circumstances  warranted,  he  was  a  regular  attendant  upon  all 
the  means  of  grace  in  the  Lord's  house.  He  loved  his  church  and 
was  always  clear  in  his  Christian  hope  and  interested  in  religious 
conversation.  Of  such  is  ihe  kingdom  of  heaven.  Of  their  loss  to 
the  church  on  earth  God's  people  here  cannot  know  in  time,  but 
the  influence  and  value  of  their  lives,  their  prayers,  and  their  counsels- 
will  only  be  realized  in  eternity."  "To  you,  sons  and  daughters, 
for  whom  he  lived,  it  must  have  been  very  gratifying  and  consoling 
to  him  to  hav^e  lived  long  enough  to  have  seen  you  all  settled  in 
your  own  homes.  This  is  the  just  ambition  and  love  of  every 
parent,  and  also  to  enjoy  everything  that  was  interesting  and  good 
in  your  lives,  and  in  the  progress  and  growth  of  your  families. 
Best  of  all,  he  lived  long  enough  to  see  you  all  gathered  into 
spiritual  fellowship  with  him,  to  rejoice  with  him  in  a  common 
hope  of  heaven,  and  in  the  prospect  of  a  blessed  reunion  there.  He 
lived  long  enough  to  know  what  the  sweet  responses  would  be  to 
his  anxious  care  and  love  for  you  all ;  long  enough,  to  give  you 
the  opportunity  to  repay  in  some  slight  degree  at  least  all  the 
kindness  and  w'atchful  care  and  tenderness  he  ever  had  for  you  a\K 
And  precious  to  day  are  these  memories  to  you,  of  dut}^  done  and 
affectionate  interest  always  manifested  to  your  dear  father,  now 
that  all  of  human  help  and  comfort  is  no  longer  of  any  avail  May 
this  filial  affection  shown  in  the  presence  of  your  children,  to  your 
father,  have  impressed  itself  deeply  upon  their  minds,  and  you  in 
turn  share  the  same  beautiful  and  loving  filial  devotion.  And 
better  than  all,  may  their  hearts  be  turned  to  the  Lord,  and  you  in 
each  family  have  repeated  the  history  of  your  father's  family ;  be 
unbroken,  and  united  in  grace  as  well  as  in  blood." 

The  children  of  Ann  L.  and   Downs  E.  Foster  were — Reuben, 


49. 

Jane  Ann,  Samuel  Lawrence,  Douglass,  James  Hewitt,  Rhoda 
Forest,  Ellen  Edmunds,  Eliza  Eldredgeand  Mary  Carll,  nine  in  all. 

1st.  Reuben  Foster  was  born  at  Cape  May,  New  Jersey,  October 
28,  1839.  He  received  a  common  county  school  education,  left 
home  in  his  eighteenth  year  and  went  to  southwestern  Iowa,  in 
connection  with  his  uncle,  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes  and  family,  where 
he  spent  four  years  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  Civil  War  in  1861,  he  returned  to  his  home 
at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  from  which  place  he  enlisted  as  private  in 
Company  F,  of  the  Twenty-fifth  Regiment,  New  Jersey  Volunteers. 
He  was  promoted  to  a  lieutenancy  for  meritorious  services  in  the 
battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  December  13,  1862.  After  his 
return  from  the  army  he  attended  Crittenden's  Commercial  Business 
College  in  Philadelphia,  for  one  term  of  six  months,  preparatory 
to  going  into  the  Transportation  business  in  1867.  He  found 
an  excellent  Christian  companion  for  life,  on  November  6,  1866, 
he  was  married  to  Sarah  Louisa  Hand,  daughter  of  Parsons  Hand 
and  Sarah  Carll  Miller,  his  wife,  all  of  Cape  May,  New  Jersey. 
His  wife,  Sarah  L.  Hand,  was  born  June  8,  1843.  He  afterwards 
located  at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  engaging  in  an  important  Southern 
Line  of  Steamship  and  Railroad  Transportation  between  Baltimore 
and  Richmond,  Va.,  in  which  business  he  is  still  engaged,  his 
address  being,  222  Light  Wharf  street,  Balimore,  Md.  In  all 
his  business  transactions  both  in  the  West  and  East  he  has  always 
proved  himself  entirely  reliable,  acceptable,  efficient  and  successful. 
Mr.  Foster  left  Cape  May  a  poor  boy,  and  has  by  steady  persever- 
ance and  business  sagacity  amassed  quite  a  fortune. 

The  children  of  Reuben  and  Sarah  L.  Foster,  are  Enoch  Edmunds 
Foster,  born  September  2,  1867. 

Arthur  Douglass  Foster,  born  November  8,  1872. 

Reuben  Carll  Foster,  born  July  10,  1875. 

Gilbert  Foster,  born  October  29th,  1877,  died  June  30,  1878. 

Frederick  Foster,  born  October  5th,  1 879.     They  are  all  fine  sons. 

2d.  Jane  Ann  Foster,  the  second  child  of  Ann  L.  and  Downs  E. 
Foster,  was  born  at  Cold  Spring,  N.  J.,  May  8,  1841  ;  educated  at 
the  Cold  Spring  Academy,  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Moses  Williamson, 
and  married  by  him  at  the  Cold  Spring  parsonage  to  Aaron  D.  E. 
Crowell,  September  13,  1859.     Aaron  D.  E.  Crowell,  her  husband, 


50. 

was  the  son  of  Captain  Page  and  Tryphena  Crowell,  and  was  born 
in  Philadelphia,  August  20,  1834.  His  father,  the  son  of  Aaron 
and  Sarah  P.  Crowell,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  June  6,1806,  followed 
the  sea  for  forty  years,  and  died  at  his  son's  residence  near  the 
Cape  May  Light  House,  August  23,  1886,  aged  eighty  years,  two 
months  and  seventeen  days.  His  mother,  the  daughter  of  Downs 
and  Elizabeth  Edmunds,  was  born  at  Fishing  Creek,  N.  J.,  February 
20,  1809,  and  died  November  29,  1834,  aged  twenty -five  years,  nine 
months  and  nine  days.  After  her  death,  their  son,  Aaron  D.  E.  was 
taken  and  raised  by  his  grand  parents.  Downs  and  Elizabeth 
Edmunds,  at  Fishing  Creek,  N.  J.  He  lived  with  them  and  took 
care  of  them  in  their  old  age.  For  the  last  twelve  or  fifteen  years 
he  has  been  occupied  in  the  steamboat  business  at  Cape  May  as 
Messenger  and  Baggage  Master.  The  children  of  Jane  Ann  and 
Aaron  D.  E.  Crowell,  are — 

(i).  Thomas  S.  Crowell,  born  at  Fishing  Creek,  N.  J.,  June  8, 
i860.  His  education  was  received  at  the  Cape  Academy,  N.  J. ; 
his  occupation  is  that  of  chief  engineer.  His  present  residence  is 
Philadelphia.  He  was  married  in  the  Spruce  Street  Baptist  Church, 
Philadelphia,  to  Emma  M.  Herring,  of  that  city,  by  their  pastor, 
December  9,  1878.  His  wife  was  born  June  10,  i860.  They  have 
one  child,  Willie  H.  Crowell,  born  August  23,  1880. 

(2).  Edward  M.  Crowell,  born  at  Fishing  Creek,  N.  J.,  March  25, 
1862.  Received  his  education  at  Cape  Academy.  His  occupation, 
a  Gold  Beater  at  West  Cape  May  Factory.  His  place  of  residence 
West  Cape  May,  N.  J,  He  was  married  June  9,  1883,  to  Orilla 
Whilden,  of  Cape  May  Court  House,  at  the  Methodist  Parsonage, 
by  Rev.  Mr.  Hancock.  His  wife  was  born  November,  1864.  They 
have  one  child,  Anna  Foster,  born  December  18,  1884. 

(3).  Tryphena  P.  Crowell,  born  at  Fishing  Creek,  N.  J.,  April 
15,  1864.  Educated  at  the  Cape  Academy,  and  married  at  her 
home  August  30,  1882,  by  Rev.  Alonzo  P.  Johnson,  to  William  G. 
Essen,  baker  and  confectioner,  at  Cape  May  City.  They  have  had 
two  sons,  Willis  G.  Essen  and  John  R.  Essen.  The  latter  son  died 
August,  1885. 

(4).  Anna  Foster  Crowell,  named  after  her  grandmother,  Ann 
Foster,  was  born  at  the  Cape,  January  5,  1866.  She  was  educated 
at  the  Cape  Academy,  and  married  February  9,  1886,  at  the  Cape 


51. 

May  City  Parsonage,  by  Rev.  C.  A.  Brewster,  to  George  Chester 
Germon.  His  occupation  was  that  of  expressman  and  telegraph 
operator.  His  residence  was  at  Philadelphia,  until  near  the  close 
of  his  last  sickness  ;  but  he  was  formerly  from  Bridgeton,  N,  J. 
Two  children  were  born  to  them.  Ralph  C.  and  Edward  M. 
Germon.  Ralph  C.  Germon,  the  oldest  son,  died  June  14,  1889. 
The  father,  George  Chester  Germon,  was  born  at  Bridgeton,  N.  J., 
April  5,  1 86 1,  and  died  at  Cape  May,  of  La  Grippe,  January  9, 
1890,  aged  twenty-eight  years,  nine  months  and  four  days.  He 
was  buried  in  the  Cold  Spring  cemetery.  Anna  F.,  the  wife  and 
mother  bears  up  bravely  with  her  loss  of  a  good  husband  and  father, 
as  this  is  a  double  bereavement ;  but  God  is  her  support.  The 
remaining  son  is  two-and-a-half  years  old,  and  a  bright  little  fellow. 

(5).  Sarah  E.  Crowell,  was  born  at  Cape  District,  May  8,  1867. 
She  was  educated  at  the  Lower  Cape  Academy,  and  was  married 
September,  1890,  to  John  Snyder,  of  Fishing  Creek,  N.  J.,  by  Rev. 
J.  L..  Landis. 

(6).  Clarence  S.  Crowell,  was  born  at  the  Cape  May  Light 
House,  February  5,  1873,  and  died  July  23,  1873,  aged  five  months, 
two  weeks  and  four  days. 

(7).  Comfort  F.  Crowell,  was  born  in  Lower  Cape  May,  March  24, 
1875,  and  died  September  2,  1875,  aged  five  months  and  eight  days. 

(8  and  9).  Ella  Foster  Crowell  and  Mary  Ada  Crowell,  twin 
daughters,  were  born  May  19,  1876,  and  died  June  20,  1876,  aged 
four  weeks  and  one  day. 

(10).  A.  D.  E.  Crowell  was  born  January  15,  1881,  and  died 
August  20,  1 88 1,  aged  seven  months  and  five  days. 

3d.  Samuel  Lawrence  Foster,  the  third  child  of  Ann  L.  and 
Downs  E.  Foster  and  named  after  the  Rev.  Samuel  Lawrence,  was 
born  February  22,  1843,  ^t  Cold  Spring,  Cape  May  County,  N.  J. 
He  attended  the  District  School  during  the  Winter  months  from 
about  1849  to  i860.  As  to  his  occupation,  he  has  been  in  the 
roofing  business  for  the  past  twenty-five  years  in  Washington  City, 

D.  C  ;  Philadelphia  ;  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  Norfolk,  Va.  His  present 
address  is  Norfolk,  Va.     He  was  married  August  31,  i87i,byRev. 

E.  B.  Bruen,  in  Philadelphia,  to  Marion  Upham,  who  was  born  in 
Philadelphia,  April  8,  1848  ;  daughter  of  Samuel  Curtis  Upham, 
who  was  born  February  2,  18 19,  in  Montpelier,  Vermont,  and  Ann 


Eliza  Bancroft,  his  wife,  who  was  born  at  Fishing  Creek,  Cape  May 
County,  N.  J.,  April  22,  1829. 

The  children  of  Samuel  L.  and  Marion  U.  Foster,  are  six,  viz: 

Curtis  Upham  Foster,  born  in  Philadelphia,  May  4,  1874. 

Lilian  Foster,  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  25th,  1876. 

Howard  Lawrence  Foster,  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  14,  1879. 

Marion  Upham  Foster,  born  in  Philadelphia,  May  19,  1882. 

Herbert  Warren  Foster,  born  in  Philadelphia,  September  2,  1885, 
and  died  in  Braidentown,  Florida,  January  31,  1886. 

Wilmer  Strong  Foster,  born  in  Philadelphia,  November  30,  1887. 

4th.  Douglass  Foster,  the  tourth  child  of  Ann  L.  and  Downs  E. 
Foster,  was  born  November  28,  1844,  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  and 
received  his  education  there.  He  is  engaged  with  the  York  River 
Steamboat  Company,  Baltimore,  Md.  His  address  is  2303  North 
Charles  street,  Baltimore.  He  was  married  in  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
November  11,  1875,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Hensen,  to  Mary  E.  Crowell,  of 
Philadelphia.  Her  parents  are  Somers  Crowell  and  Ellen  Leslie 
Crowell.     The  children  of  Douglass  and  Mary  E.  Crowell,  are — 

Leslie  D.  Foster,  born  August  6,  1877,  and  Nellie  Foster,  born 
August  27,  1880. 

5th.  James  Hewitt  Foster,  the  fifth  child  of  Ann  L.  and  Downs  E. 
Foster,  was  born  January  8,  1847,  and  died  June  10,  1852,  aged 
five  years,  five  months  and  two  days. 

6th.  Rhoda  Forest  Foster,  the  sixth  child  of  Ann  L.  and  Downs 
E.  Foster,  was  born  July  12,  1848.  She  received  her  education  at 
the  Public  School  Academy  in  West  Cape  May,  with  one  term 
extra  in  a  select  school  taught  by  her  uncle,  Rev.  James  P.  Hughes, 
at  Cape  May  City.  Her  mother  died  when  she  was  sixteen  years 
old,  and  she  was  then  called  to  take  her  place  in  overseeing  household 
affairs  and  in  attending  to  her  father's  family.  She  was  married 
October  13,  1868,  to  William  Leonard  Cummings,  of  Fishing 
Creek,  N.  J.,  at  the  Cold  Spring  Parsonage,  by  Rev.  Moses 
Williamson.  Her  husband  was  born  June  11,  1845.  The  names 
of  his  parents  were  Leonard  and  Lydia  Cummings.  His  business 
is  that  of  a  house  carpenter  ,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Cold  Spring 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  has  been  connected  with  its  choir  for 
twenty  years.  The  children  of  Rhoda  Forest  and  William  L. 
Cummings  are  : 


53. 

(i).  Harry  Edmunds  Cummings,  born  May  ii,  1870,  and  died 
March  3,  1875,  aged  four  years,  nine  months  and  twenty-two  days. 

(2).  George  Ogden  Cummings,  born  January  25,  1873.  He  is 
now  eighteen  years  old,  is  a  member  of  the  Cold  Spring  Presby- 
terian Church,  attends  to  his  religious  duties,  and  bids  fair  to  be  a 
good  and  useful  man. 

(3).  Emma  Eldredge  Cummings,  born  February  13,  1875,  and 
died  of  scarlet  fever,  September  14,  1887,  aged  twelve  years,  seven 
months  and  one  day.  She  was  a  member  of  the  Cold  Spring 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  a  very  promising  child. 

(4).  Ralph  Lee  Cummings,  born  December  9,  1877,  Ralph  is 
now  thirteen  years  of  age — is  a  fine  boy — has  many  friends — is 
lively  and  active,  with  a  jolly  disposition — can  ride  any  kind  of  a 
horse  or  bicycle,  and  if  he  lives  will  make  a  solid  man. 

7th.  Eliza  Eldredge  Foster,  the  seventh  child  of  Ann  L.  and 
Downs  E.  Foster,  was  born  August  22,  1850,  and  died  June  4, 
1 85 1,  aged  nine  months  and  thirteen  days. 

8th.  Ellen  Edmunds  Foster,  the  eighth  child  of  Ann  L.  and 
Downs  E.  Foster,  was  born  January  7,  1853.  She  attended  school 
at  the  Cape  Academy  from  childhood  until  she  was  about  sixteen 
years  of  age.  She  was  married  to  Lafayette  Miller  Hall,  on 
November  12,  1876,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Dewing,  at  the  Cold 
Spring  Parsonage.  Her  husband  was  born  June  19, 1849.  His  father, 
Joseph  Hall,  was  born  February  19,  1807,  and  is  still  living  and 
active  at  eighty-four  years  of  age.  His  mother,  Jane  E.  Hall,  was 
born  December  24,  1809,  and  died  March  21,  1887,  aged  seventy- 
seven  years,  two  months  and  twenty-seven  days.  Her  remains  lie 
with  her  kindred  m  the  Cold  Spring  cemetery.  The  occupation  of 
Mr.  L.  M.  Hall  is  the  real  estate  business  at  Cape  May  City. 

The  children  of  Ellen  E.  and  Lafayette  M.  Hall  are — Harriet 
Shaw  Hall,  born  February  3,  1878;  Mary  Eldredge  Hall,  born 
May  3,  1880,  and  William  Cummings  Hall,  born  January  14,  i883_ 

9th.  Mary  Carll  Foster,  the  ninth  and  last  child  of  Ann  L.  and 
Downs  E.  Foster,  was  born  May  3,  1855.  She  was  sent  to  school 
to  the  Cape  Academy  until  she  was  eighteen  years  old.  Her 
husband  attended  the  same  school.  She  was  married  in  1874,  by 
the  Rev.  Thomas  S.  Dewing,  her  pastor,  to  James  W.  Eldredge, 
son  of  Daniel  C.  Eldredge,  contractor  and  builder.     Her  husband 


54 

was  born  November  24,  1853,  and  is  by  trade  a  carpenter,  but  for 
the  past  thirteen  years  he  has  been  in  the  Life  Saving  Service  at 
Cape  May  Point,  N.  J. 

The  children  of  Mary  C.and  James  W.  Eldredgeare — (i).  Samuel 
Foster  Eldredge,  born  April  n,  1873.  (2).  Downs  Foster 
Eldredge,  born  August  31,  1876,  and  died  August  r,  1878,  aged 
one  year,  eleven  months  and  one  day.  (3).  George  Bolton  Eldredge, 
born  April  26,  1878. 

The  total  number  of  Mrs.  Ann  L.  Foster's  children,  grand  children 
and  great-grand  children  are  forty  eight — of  whom  thirty -five  are 
now  living, 

3.  Daniel  Lawrence  HuGHESr  the  third  child  of  James  R.  and 
Eliza  E.  Hughes,  will  be  sketched  elsewhere. 

4.  Judge  Joseph  Eldrectge  Hughes  was  the  fourth  child  af 
James  R.  and  Eliza  E.  Hughes,  and  was  born  at  the  old  homestead 
in  Cape  May  County,  July  31,  182 1.  In  his  thirteenth  year,  or  on' 
May  I,  1834,  he  united  with  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church 
on  the  profession  of  his  faith.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  his  father's 
farm,  and  enjoyed  such  educational  privileges  as  the  times  and 
circumstances  afforded,  especially  those  of  his  father  and  pastor. 
He  was  married  November  28,  1842,  to  Experience  Somers, 
daughter  of  Captain  Richard  Somers,  of  Atlantic  County,  N.  J. 
Besides  cultivating  his  own  small  farm  he  was  a  successful  school 
teacher  for  fifteen  years  in  several  districts  adjoining  bis  home. 
And  many  of  the  youth  of  Cape  May  County  are  indebted  to  him 
for  the  sound  instruction  and  moral  principles  that  he  imparted  to 
them  for  their  subsequent  success  in  life.  He  succeeded  his  father 
as  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School  at  Cold  Spring,  which  he 
retained  tor  many  years.  He  was  also  elected  a  Ruling  Elder  in 
the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  ordained  and  instai'ed 
there  as  such  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  May,  1855.  This  office  he 
faithfully  filled  until  he  removed  by  certificate  to  the  Cape  May 
City  church,  January  13,  1877,  and  is  an  acting  Ruling  Elder  now 
in  that  church.  In  public  life,  because  of  his  integrity  of  character 
and  general  knowledge  of  public  affairs,  his  fellow  citizens  were  led 
to  bestow  upon  him  many  offices  of  trust  and  honor.  Before  he 
went  to  reside  at  Cape  May  City,  he  served  as  Clerk  of  Township 


55. 

Committee,  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools  and  ex-officio  member 
of  County  Examining  Board  under  the  old  law;  Clerk  of  the  board 
of  Chosen  Freeholders  and  member  of  the  same.  With  Dr.  C.  F. 
Learning  he  served  as  a  building  committee  for  the  erection  of  the 
Clerk's  and  Surrogate's  offices,  at  the  Court  House,  in  1865.  The 
substantial  character  of  these  offices  speak  well  for  the  faithful 
■manner  in  which  the  committee  did  their  duty.  Mr.  Hughes  also 
got  the  appointment  of  Commissioner  of  Deeds, 

In  1872  he  removed  to  Cape  May  City,  and  soon  after  was 
elected  to  its  Council.  While  in  that  body  he  was  instrumental  in 
■establishing  the  first  city  water  works,  being  associated  with  R.  B, 
Swain,  Esq.,  for  that  purpose.  In  1874,  his  neighbors,  without 
regard  to  party,  asked  that  Mr.  Hughes  be  appointed  the  Lay 
Judge  of  the  county.  The  Governor  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey 
granted  the  petition,  and  commissioned  him  to  wear  the  judicial 
ermine  for  five  years,  and  then  re-appointed  him  for  another  term, 
but  he  resigned  after  serving  three  years  of  it  to  assume  the  duties 
of  Post  Master  of  Cape  May  City,  having  been  appointed  thereto 
by  President  Arthur.  The  Judge  made  an  excellent  officer,  and 
was  retired  with  an  honorable  discharge  at  the  change  of  Adminis- 
tration. In  1886  his  fellow  citizens  made  the  Judge  an  Alder- 
man, an  office  he  held  until  his  resignation.  He  has  also 
rented  and  managed  several  of  the  large  hotels  at  Cape  May  City, 
for  boarders,  during  successive  summer  seasons.  He  has  thus 
proved  himself  to  bean  honorable,  highly  respected  and  useful  citizen. 

Experience  Somers  Hughes,  the  wife  of  Joseph  E.  Hughes,  was 
born  at  Somers  Point,  Atlantic  County,  N.  J.,  October  23,  1824, 
and  died  suddenly  of  apoplexy  and  heart  disease,  at  Cape  May  City, 
on  Thursday  night,  January  28,  1886,  aged  sixty -one  years,  three 
months  and  five  days.  We  add  the  following  facts  from  her  obituary 
published  in  a  Cape  May  City  paper. 

"  When  about  sixteen  years  of  age  she  was  sent  to  the  Cold 
Spring  Academy,  this  county,  then  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Moses 
Williamson,  who  was  also  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  that 
place.  Here  she  remained  for  two  years.  In  her  seventeeth  year 
she  made, a  profession  of  her  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and 
-united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Cold  Spring.  In  her 
eighteenth  year  she  was  married  to  Mr.  Hughes,  and  during  a  long 


56. 

married  life  of  forty-four  years,  she  was  a  true  and  faithful  wife  and 
mother,  as  well  as  a  consistent  Christian.  The  beauty  of  her  youth 
was  impressed  upon  her  countenance  even  in  death.  Although 
suddenly  called  to  leave,  she  was  not  unprepared  for  the  sujnmons. 
For  her  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Christ  is  far  better.  Her  worthy 
and  stricken  husband,  and  her  beloved  children  and  friends  mourn 
as  those  who  have  hope.  May  we  each  be  ready  also  when  the 
Master  calleth  for  us — ^whether  it  be  at  midnight,  at  cock-crowing 
or  in  the  morning — that  we  may  enter  with  him  into  the  joy  of  our 
Lord."  D.  L.  H. 

The  children  of  Joseph  E.  and  Experience  S.  Hughes  were  three 
— William  Somers,  Laura  S.  and  Joseph  Henry. 

William  Somers,  the  first  child,  was  born  July  29,  1843,  and  died 
May  5,  1845,  aged  one  year,  nine  months  and  six  days. 

Laura  S.,  the  second  child,  was  born  February  2,  1848,  was 
educated  in  the  home  schools,  united  with  the.  Cold  Spring  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  was  married  February,  1867,  to  Jonathan 
Hoffman,  by  Rev.  Moses  Williamson.  They  had  three  children. 
The  first,  a  little  daughter,  died  when  a  few  days  old,  nameless. 
Their  two  boys  are  Edward  H.  and  Howard  S.  Edward  Hoffman, 
the  oldest  son,  besides  his  education  in  the  common  schools  at 
Cape  May,  and  his  knowledge  of  farming,  has  gone  to  Trenton 
College,  N.  J.,  to  prepare  himself  for  something  still  more  useful, 
Howard  S.,  the  next  son,  has  taken  up  the  study  of  surveying,  and 
will  remain  at  home  assisting  his  father  on  his  farm.  They  are 
young  men  of  good  character  and  promise,  members  of  the  Cold 
Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  will  no  doubt  prove  useful  men 
and  good  soldiers  of  the  cross.  Their  address  is  Cold  Spring,. 
Cape  May  county,  N.  J. 

Joseph  Henry,  the  third  child  of  Joseph  E.  and  Experience  S. 
Hughes,  was  born  January  5,  1853.  Besides  his  education  at  Cape 
May,  he  attended  for  two  years  the  Bridgeton  Academy,  N.  J.,  and 
also  spent  two  years  at  Trenton  College,  N.  J.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  engaged  in  merchandise  and  the 
real  estate  business  at  Cape  May  City.  He  \\'as  married  February 
28,  1878,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Brittain,  at  Moorestown,  N.  J.,  to  Emma  T. 
Bennett,  daughter  of  Abram  and  Sarah  C.  Bennett,  of  Cape  May 
county.      Mrs.  Bennett  was  afterwards  married  to  James  Learning. 


57. 

They  have  two  children,  both  daughters,  viz. :  Sallie  K.Hughes, 
aged  twelve  years,  and  Jennie  W.  Hughes  aged  five  years.  They 
are  fine  little  girls. 

After  the  loss  of  his  excellent  first  wife,  ex-Judge  Joseph  E. 
Hughes  on  September  14,  1886,  married  Mrs,  Mary  A.  Farrow,  a 
worthy  Christian  lady,  of  Cape  May  City.  They  now  occupy  their 
cottage  on  Bank  street,  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  them. 

5.  William  Geddes  Hughes  was  the  fifth  child  of  James  R. 
and  Eliza  E.  Hughes,  and  was  born  June  13,  1823.  He  died 
September  28,  1824,  caused  by  falHng  into  a  pan  of  hot  fat,  aged 
one  year,  three  months  and  fifteen  days. 

6.  Harriet  Newell  Hughes,  their  sixth  child,  was  born  July 
23,  1825,  enjoyed  educational  privileges  under  her  father  and  pastor, 
joined  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  February  20,  1840, 
in  her  fifteenth  year,  and  was  married  to  Rev.  Charles  M.  Oakley, 
July  24,  1844,  at  her  father's  house  by  her  brother.  Rev.  Daniel  L. 
Hughes.  Mrs.  Oakley  ever  proved  by  h  er  industry,  economy,  piety, 
consistency  and  fidelity  a  great  help-mate  to  her  pious- and  devoted 
husband  in  both  his  home  and  public  work  ;  while  at  the  same  time 
she  was  always  considerate  of  the  poor  and  needy,  and  was  ready 
with  advice,  hand  and  purse  to  help  forward  every  benevolent  and 
missionary  work  of  the  church.  She  still  lives,  and  is  eminently 
active  and  useful  wherever  she  resides. 

Rev.  Charles  M.  Oakley,  her  husband,  was  born  in  New  York 
City,  July  2,  1815,  and  died  at  Northport,  L.  I.,  February  16,  1882, 
aged  sixty-six  years,  seven  months  and  fourteen  days.  His  remains 
lie  buried  in  the  cemetery  there.  The  following  excellent  obituary 
of  him,  published  in  Southold,  L.  I.,  February  20,  1882,  by  E.  W.^, 
one  of  his  ministerial  friends,  is  worthy  of  record  here. 

"  The  Rev.  Charles  M.  Oakley^  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of 
Long  Island,  died  at  his  residence  last  week  ;  and  his  funeral  was 
attended  last  Saturday  in  Northport,  where  he  died  He  selected 
Northport  for  his  home  a  few  years  since,  because  one  of  his  sons 
had  been  engaged  there  for  several  years  in  the  manufacture  of 
silverware ;  and  the  father  was  able  to  give  him  assistance  in  his 
somewhat   extensive  and  generally  profitable  business. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Oakley  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  (on  the 


58. 

2d  of  July,  1815),  and  tlie  urbanity  and  courteousness  of  his 
disposition,  as  well  as  the  remarkable  attractiveness  of  his  manners, 
evinced  the  advantages  of  his  early  training  in  a  christian  home 
amid  the  refinements  of  a  religious  life  in  the  great  city.  For  good 
breeding  and  loveliness  of  character  he  was  unsurpassed  in  the 
Presbytery. 

He  prepared  for  the  ministry  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary, 
New  York  city,  during  the  years  1838  and  1839,  and  was  the 
Presbyterian  minister  of  Nyack,  on  the  Hudson,  in  the  years  1841 
and  1842,  where  he  was  ordained  on  the  25th  of  October,  in  the 
latter  year.  Then  he  became  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
in  the  city  of  Millville,  in  the  southern  part  of  New  Jersey, 
where  he  faithfully  ministered  in  the  gospel  four  years.  During 
this  time  he  was  married  to  his  present  wife.  From  Millville  he 
removed  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  the  pastor  of 
tlie  Port  Richmond  Presbyterian  church.  But  the  condition  of  his 
health,  never  robust  at  any  time  during  his  ministry,  led  to  his 
retirement  from  the  city,  after  a  trial  of  two  years,  and  he  accepted 
the  pastoral  care  of  North  Germantown,  New  Jersey,  where  he 
fulfilled  his  responsible  duties  for  a  period  of  five  years.  It  was  then 
needful  that  he  should  be  free  from  pastoral  care  and  labor  for  a 
year  or  more.  But  he  was  able,  in  1853,  to  resume  the  work  for 
which  he  had  a  most  hearty  desire,  and  he  began  a  ministry  of 
fourteen  years  in  Melville,  Suffolk  county.  Long  Island.  These 
were  years  of  prosperity  for  the  church  and  of  usefulness  and 
comfort  for  himself  and  his  family.  His  elder  sons  grew  up  to 
manhood  and  to  ways  of  industry,  virtue,  and  beneficial  activity  in 
this  place. 

He  was  called  in  1867  to  be  the  minister  of  Amagansett,  the  most 
eastern  church  of  Long  Island  ;  and  here  for  twelve  or  thirteen 
years  he  was  most  highly  esteemed,  greatly  beloved,  and  eminently 
useful,  as  long  as  failing  health  would  permit  him  to  do  the  respon- 
sible labor  required  of  a  Christian  pastor.  Forty  years  of  diligent, 
laborious  service  in  the  fulfillment  of  the  duties  of  the  pastoral  care  had 
<lone  their  work.  His  health  was  very  feeble,  and  his  throat  painfully 
affected.  He  removed  to  the  place  where  one  of  his  sons  was 
established  in  business ;  and  while  he  did  not  cease  to  preach,  but 
preached  frequently  upon  occasions,  he  did  not  undertake  the 
responsibility  of  leadership  and  continuous  labor. 


59, 

For  some  months  past  his  health  has  been  gradually  giving  way. 
His  mental  powers  remained  in  their  usual  soundness ;  and  his 
spiritual  affections  and  his  Christian  life  and  experience  retained  all 
their  beauty  and  charming  excellence  to  the  last. 

His  wife,  several  sons,  and  one  daughter  survive.  His  children, 
having  married,  had  all  left  the  parental  home  before  his  removal 
from  Amagansett  to  Northport.  Not  only  his  bereaved  widow  and 
children,  but  also  every  minister  of  the  Presbytery,  and  many  others 
of  the  best  and  most  intelligent  Christian  people  of  the  county, 
must  grieve  that  they  will  hear  his  voice  and  behold  his  serene 
and  spiritually  beautiful  face  no  more.  E.  W. 

Southold,  February  20,  1882. 

Rev.  Charles  M.  and  Harriet  N.  Oakley  had  three  sons  and  two 
daughters,  viz.: — Charles  Payson,  Robert  Strong,  Endora  Smith, 
George  Warner  and  Mary  Ellen,  and  they  were  all  church  members. 

ist.  Charles  P.,  their  first  son,  was  born  July  3,  1845,  and  was 
married  June  20,  1872,  to  Elizabeth  DeBow  Oakley,  by  Rev.  Dr. 
Buddington,  assisted  by  Rev.  Charles  M.Oakley.  His  occupation 
is  merchant  tailor,  New  York.  His  Post  Office  address  is  i  Vesey 
street,  New  York.  The  children  of  Charles  P.  and  Elizabeth 
DeBow  Oakley,  are  two  daughters.  The  elder,  Mary  Forest 
Oakley,  was  born  August  30,  1876,  (a  Centennial  baby).  The 
youngest,  Isabel  DeBow  Oakley,  was  born  December  28,  1883. 

2d.  Robert  S.,  their  second  son,  was  born  April  16,  1848,  and  was 
married  March  3,  i868j  to  Margaretta  J.  Shields,  by  Rev.  James 
Belden.  His  occupation  is  an  accountant  in  A.  Raymond  &  Co.'s 
clothing  store,  New  York,  his  Post  Office  address  is  219  Whiton 
street,  Jersey  City,  N.  J.  They  have  had  the  following  eight 
children — four  sons  and  four  daughters :  Jennie  Shields,  Harriet 
Newell,  Lillie  May,  Henry  Shields,  George  Warner,  Katie  Mead, 
Robert  Strong  and  Willie  French. 

(i).  Jennie  Shields,  their  first  child,  was  born  October  26,  1868, 
and  was  married  December  23,  1889  to  Daniel  J.  Conhey,  of  New 
York,  by  Rev   E.  F.  Crowen,  Jersey  City,  N.  J. 

(2).  Harriet  Newell,  their  second  child,  was  born  October  28', 
1870,  and  was  married  June  20,  1889,  to  Edward  A.  Laws,  of 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  by  Rev.  E.  F.  Crowen,  Jersey  City,  N.J. 


60. 

(3).  Lillie  May,  their  third  child,  was  born  August  7,  1872,  and 
died  June  29,  1880,  aged  seven  years,  ten  months  and  twenty  two 
days. 

(4).  Henry  Shields,  their  fourth  child,  was  born  August  29.  1874. 

(5).  George  Warner,  their  fifth  child,  was  born  September  24, 
1876.  and  died  November  5,  1877,  aged  one  year,  one  month  and 
eleven  days. 

(6).  Katie  Mead,  their  sixth  child,  was  born  September  18,  1878. 

(7).  Robert  Strong,  their  seventh  child,  was  born  November  3, 
1880. 

(8).  Willie  French,  their  eighth  child,  was  born  September  26, 
1885. 

3rd.  Endora  Smith,  the  third  child  and  first  daughter  of  Rev. 
Charles  M.  and  Harriet  N.  Oakley,  was  born  April  2,  1849,  and 
died  April  30,  1849,  aged  four  weeks. 

4th.  George  Warner,  their  fourth  child  and  third  son,  was  born 
March  26,  1850;  wis  married  January  20,  1881,  to  Emily  Bell 
Thompson,  by  Rev.  Charles  M.  Oakley ;  was  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  gold  and  silver  thimbles,  Newark,  N.  J.,  and  died 
August  3,  1882,  aged  32  years,  4  months,  and  7  days.  He  was 
buried  at  Northport,  L.  I.     His  widow  is  living  in  New  York. 

5th.  Mary  Ellen,  their  fifth  child  and  second  daughter,  was  born 
August  19,1851,  and  was  married  June  27,  1877,  to  Arthur  Butler 
by  Rev.  Charles  M,  Oakley.  Mr.  Butler  is  a  farmer  and  lives  on 
Long  Island.  His  P.  O.  address  is  Box  122,  Huntington,  Suffolk 
county.  Long  Island,  N.  Y.  They  have  five  children  all  living  and 
enjoying  perfect  health. 

(i).  Albert  Boardman  Butler,  born  September  12,  1878. 

(2)-  Margaret  Oakley  Butler,  born  April   14,1880. 

(3).  Harold  Lockwood  Butler,  born  February  7,  1882. 

(4).  Harriet  Ellen  Butler,  born  March  10,  1884. 

(5).  Bessie  Adelaide  Butler,  born  May  19,  1886. 

7.  Rev.  James  Potter  Hughes,  the  seventh  child  of  James  R. 
and  Eliza  E.  Hughes,  was  born  at  the  old  homestead,  Cape  May 
county,  N.  J.,  Dec.  15,  1827.  He  prepared  for  college  at  the  Cape 
May  Academy,  N.  J.,  Tuscarora  Academy,  Pa ,  and  Lewistown 
Academy,  Pa.,  and  entered  the  sophomore  class  at  Princeton  College, 


61, 

N.  J,,  in  1847.  He  was  converted  at  Cape  Island  during  his 
Cliristmas  vacation  of  1848,  and  joined  the  First  Church  at 
Princeton  the  following  summer.  He  graduated  in  1850,  united 
the  same  year  with  the  New  Brunswick  Presbytery  as  a  candidate 
under  their  care  for  the  ministry,  an.l  entered  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Princeton,  September  1850.  In  1852,  his  eyes  failing 
him,  he  was  influenced  by  Rev.  Reuben  Lowrie,  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  C. 
Cattell  and  others,  to  accept  a  call  as  an  Instructor  in  Luzerne 
Presbyterial  Institute,  at  Wyoming,  Pa.,  where  he  remained  three 
years.  After  which,  in  1855,  he  accepted  an  appointment  as 
teacher  in  the  Edgehill  School,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  then  under  the 
charge  of  Rev.  Wm.  C.  Cattell,  D.D.  After  six  months  Mr.  Cattell 
being  called  to  the  Presidency  of  Lafayette  College,  Easton,  Pa., 
he  sold  the  school  to  Rev.  James  I.  Helm,  and  Mr.  Hughes  became 
associate  Principal.  After  one  year  Mr.  Helm  retired,  and  Mr. 
Hughes  became  sole  Principal  until  1864,  when  he  sold  out, 
and  as  Principal  took  charge  of  the  Logansport  Academy, 
Indiana.  In  September,  1867,  he  visited  Tipton,  Iowa,  and 
acted  as  Superintendent  of  the  Schools  in  that  town  until 
August,  1868,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  academy  in  Bellefonte, 
Pa.,  as  Principal,  and  where  he  has  been  earnestly,  faithfully  and 
successfully  employed  ever  since — a  period  of  over  twenty-two 
years,  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century.  Many  years  ago,  under  his 
untiring  energy,  the  academy  was  greatly  enlarged  and  improved  ; 
and  lately,  under  the  same  undaunted  zeal  and  persevering  effort, 
with  a  wise  understanding  of  the  necessities  of  a  high  Christian 
education  for  the  best  interests  of  the  citizens  of  Bellefonte  and  of 
Centre  county,  both  of  the  present  and  the  future,  six  thousand 
dollars  have  been  raised  with  which  a  fine  residence  has  been  built 
for  the  principal,  and  the  academy  has  been  remodeled,  enlarged 
and  improved  in  modern  style,  so  as  to  be,  in  itself,  an  ornament  to 
Bellefonte,  the  rich  and  intelligent  county  seat  of  Centre  county,  Pa., 
and  be  an  increased  comfort  and  power  for  good,  physically,  intel- 
lectually, morally  and  religiously  for  all  its  inmates  for  the  coming 
century.  No  one  can  fully  estimate  the  value  of  such  christian 
academies.  They  ought  to  be  multiplied  and  fostered  all  over  our 
land.  They  meet  a  necessary  and  growing  demand  for  the  safety 
and  perpetuity  of  both  church  and  state  in  the  higher  education  of 


63: 

the  rising  generation  which  our  merely  secular  institutions  can' 
never  fill.  Let  them  be  heartily  encouraged.  They  combine,  at 
the  lowest  pecuniary  cost,  careful  physical  training,  keen  intellectual 
training,  and,  best  of  all,  sound  religious  training — thus  preparing 
every  pupil  by  a  well  rounded  education  in  body,  mind  and  heart 
for  the  best  results  in  any  department  of  effort,  for  all  time  and 
eternity.  The  Bellefonte  Academy  is  only  one  out  of  many  of 
such  good  influences.  As  a  thorough  teacher  and  a  wise  disciplin- 
arian, James  P.  Hughes  has  been  eminently  successful.  His 
influence  thus  for  good  has  been  very  great.  He  has  thus  trained 
many  who  now  praise  him,* and  who  are  doing  efficient  work  in  all 
the  professions,  and  in  all  countries  as  his  honored  representatives. 
He  is  still  fitting  and  sending  out  students  who  will  be  prepared 
from  their  first  entrance  upon  college  life  to  take  a  high  position  in 
their  classes  at  Princeton  College,  N.  J.,  or  in  any  other  of  our  best 
institutions  of  learning.  I  add  a  few  brief  testimonials  of  him  out 
of  many  similar  ones  that  might  be  given  of  his  life-long  influence 
for  good  in  his  specially  chosen  department  of  useful  labor. 

Rev.  William  C.  Cattell,  D.D.,  LL.  D.,  formerly  President  of 
Lafayette  College,  Pa.,  and  now  the  tender  and  efficient  Corresponding 
Secretary  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Ministerial  Relief,  wrote — 
"  As  an  instructor,  Mr.  Hughes  is  thorough  and  conscientious,  and 
in  the  general  management  of  a  school,  eminently  judicious."  The 
late  Rev.  Alfred  Yeomans,  D.  D.,  formerly  pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian church  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  and  afterwards  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  at  Orange,  N.  J.,  and  who  was  the  efficient 
agent  in  getting  Mr.  Hughes  to  assume  the  principalship  of  the 
Bellefonte  Academy,  thus  wrote — "  The  qualifications  of  Mr.  Hughes 
as  a  teacher  of  youth,  are,  in  my  judgment,  of  the  very  highest 
order.  I  would  sooner  commit  a  son  of  mine  to  his  care  than  to  that 
of  any  other  instructor  of  my  acquaintance."  The  late  Hon.  Samuel 
Linn,  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  said,  "  Having  had  two  sons  under  the 
care  of  Rev.  J.  P.  Hughes,  my  experience  warrants  me  in  pronouncing 
his  school  as  one  of  the  very  best  in  the  country,  not  only  because 
of  opportunities  offered  to  pupils  to  acquire  a  thorough  education, 
but  also  because  of  the  watchful  care  exercised  over  their  moral 
and  religious  training,"  Once  more,  T  quote  a  published  communi- 
cation from  a  friend  of  his  visiting  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  signed  "  W. 


H.  G." — "  Prof.  J.  P.  Hughes,  the  successful  principal  of  the  Edgehill 
School,  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  for  so  many  years,  and  now  the  popular 
and  equally  successful  principal  of  "  The  School  in  the  Mountains," 
at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  is  on  the  island,  and  stopping  at  the  Tremont 
House,  or  '  Island  Home.'  Many  of  his  pupils,  who  are  at  this 
pleasant  place  of  resort,  take  great  pleasure  in  calling  upon  their 
revered  instructor,  for,  to  his  faithful  counsels  and  instruction  they 
attribute  much  of  their  success  in  after  life.  Cordially  do  I  endorse 
a  statement,  recently  made  by  a  distinguished  gentleman  of  New 
Jersey  that  *  rarely  does  a  youthful  character  come  under  his  hand 
without  being  permanently  impressed  for  good.'  It  affords  us 
pleasure  to  state  that  Prof.  Hughes,  who  has  attained  such  eminent 
success  in  his  calling,  is  a  native  of  Cape  May,  where  he  is  still 
kindly  and  reverently  remembered." 

While  teaching  at  Wyoming,  Pa,,  Mr.  Hughes  continued  his 
theological  studies,  and  his  relation  was  changed  from  the  New 
Brunswick  Presbytery  to  the  Luzerne  Presbytery,  where  he  was 
licensed  in  1853,  and  preached  in  its  needy  places.  In  1868  he 
was  at  his  request,  dismissed  to  the  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon, 
where  he  has  often  preached  in  the  vacant  churches,  and  was  for 
some  time  stated  supply  in  the  Bald  Eagle  Church. 

On  Thursday  June  27,  1861,  at  12  m.,  he  was  married  to  Emily 
Wiltsie  Roberts,  in  Williamsburg,  Long  Island,  by  Rev.  John  D. 
Wells,  D.D.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Charles  Roberts,  a  Ruling 
Elder  in  Rev.  Dr.  J.  D.  Wells'  church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,and  Emma 
Sinclair  Roberts,  both  parents  being  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
born  September  6,  1840. 

Emily  Wiltsie  Hughes  died  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  with  consumption 
June  8,  1889.  She  was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters,  viz.  :  Emma  Sinclair,  James  Roberts,  Eliz-ibeth 
Rushton,  Charles  Stone,  Marion  Foster,  Edward  Lawrence,  Luther 
Eldredge  and  Ottilie  Roberts.  Mrs.  Hughes  was  liberally  educated 
in  New  York  City.  She  was  a  faithful  Sabbath  School  teacher  in 
Dr.  Wells'  church  up  to  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  had  fine 
talents  for  music,  and  an  excellent  musical  education.  She  was 
very  successful  as  an  instructor,  both  in  vocal  and  instrumental 
music.  She  had  the  charge  of  the  department  of  music  in  the 
Bellefonte  Academy  for  several  years.     She  had  at  one  time  as 


64 

many  as  twenty  pupils  in  instrumental  music,  besides  a  large  vocal 
class  of  fifty  pupils.  Her  work  was  very  thorough  and  very 
successful.  She  was  faithful  in  her  attendance  upon  church 
ordinances.  But  in  her  home  was  her  natural  sphere  where  her 
Christian  character  was  always  manifest  and  where  her  power  was 
felt.  Faithful  as  a  help-meet  in  keeping  up  family  worship  and 
private  prayer ;  faithful  in  reciting  choice  hymns  and  precious  Bible 
truths  every  Sabbath  evening  at  family  worship,  and  faithful  in 
teaching  her  children  the  Bible  and  the  Shorter  Catechism.  Five 
of  her  children  received  Bibles  from  Governor  James  A.  Beaver  at 
different  times  for  reciting  the  Shorter  Catechism  without  missing 
a  word  ;  all  of  which  was  due  to  her  faithful  training  in  this  respect. 
Her  influence  for  truth  and  for  Christ  will  be  felt  as  long  as  she 
has  pupils  or  children  to  survive  her,  I  record  here  the  following 
obituary  notice  of  her. 

"  Alter  a  long  illness  of  consumption,  Mrs.  Hughes,  wife  of  Rev. 
J.  P.  Hughes,  died  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  this  morning  at  three  o'clock, 
June  8,  1889.  Two  or  three  times  during  her  illness  she  was  very 
near  death's  door,  but  her  fine  constitution  and  strong  will  power 
triumphed  and  she  rallied.  But  now  she  is  gone,  and  her  husband 
and  eight  children,  in  her  death,  lose  a  most  loving,  tender  and 
affectionate  wife  and  mother.  This  is  the  first  death  in  a  very 
happy  family.  The  deceased  was  a  lady  of  the  highest  Christian 
character,  adding  to  it  a  cultivated  intellect  and  an  amiable  disposi- 
tion. We  most  earnestly  sympathize  with  the  family  in  the  great 
grief  which  they  must  feel.  The  deceased  was  forty-eight  years, 
nine  months  and  two  days  old." 

The  children  of  Rev.  James  P.  and  Emily  W.  Hughes,  as  noted 
above  were  eight,  and  the  sketches  of  their  lives  are  briefly  as  follows, 

ist.  Emma  Sinclair,  was  born  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  January  13, 
1863.  She  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  ;  was  educated 
in  her  father's  school  at  Bellefonte,  also  at  Birmingham,  Pa., 
and  at  Burlington,  Vermont.  She  taught  with  much  success  her 
own  school  for  several  years  at  High  Bridge,  N.  J.  She  afterwards 
taught  Latin,  French  and  German  in  the  Presbyterian  Female 
Institute  at  Charlotte,  North  Carolina.  For  the  last  few  years  she 
has  had  the  charge  of  the  children's  department  in  the  Bellefonte 
Academy.     At  present  writing,  October,  1890,  she  is  engaged  again 


65. 

in  her  own  school  encouragingly  at  Flat  Rock,  N.  C.  Like  her 
mother,  she  is  also  a  fine  musician  and  meets  every  demand 
approvingly,  that  is  made  upon  her. 

2d.  James  Roberts  was  born  at  Cape  Island,  N.  J.,  December 
29,  1864.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
graduated  with  honor  at  Princeton  College,  in  June,  1885.  He  has 
ever  since  assisted  his  father  in  the  Bellefonte  Academy,  taking  the 
entire  charge  of  the  department  of  ancient  and  modern  languages, 
and  has  proved  himself  to  be  a  popular,  thorough  and  successful 
teacher.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  christian  and  church  work. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  church  choir,  a  regular  member  of  the 
Sabbath  school,  and  the  President  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association.  He  is  also  the  correspondent  of  Bellefonte  for  the 
Philadelphia  Press,  and  a  frequent  correspondent  of  other  important 
papers  of  New  York  and  elsewhere,  and  wields  a  ready,  reliable  pen. 

3d.  Elizabeth  Rushton  was  born  at  Tipton  Iowa,  November  13, 
1867 ;  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  was  educated  at 
Bellefonte  Academy  and  at  Birmingham  Mountain  Seminary ;  was 
associated  as  a  worker  in  Missionary  Bands,  and  was  married  in 
Chicago,  Illinois,  January  i,  1890,  to  Albert  J.  Dunseth,  of  Chicago, 
by  her  uncle.  Rev.  Jacob  V.  Hughes,  of  Shawano,  Wisconsin.  Her 
home  is  at  Chicago,  Illinois. 

4th.  Charles  Stone  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  April  2,  1870  ;  is 
a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  ;  prepared  for  college  at  the 
Bellefonte  Academy,  and  is  now  pursuing  his  studies  as  a  regular 
student  at  Princeton  college. 

5th.  Marion  Foster  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  November  16, 
1872;  was  educated  at  the  Bellefonte  Academy,  and  was  married 
there  July  17,  1890,  to  Frank  P.  Bassett,  a  chemist,  by  Rev.  William 
Laurie,  D.D.,  assisted  by  her  uncle,  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes,  D.D. 
Her  home  is  in  Bellefonte,  Pa. 

6th.  Edward  Lawrence  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  February  25, 
1876.     A  bright  and  promising  boy, 

7th.  Luther  Eldredge  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  March  26, 
1878.     A  smart  and  promising  boy. 

8th.  Ottilie  Roberts  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  March  9,  1881. 
An  affectionate,  lively  and  interesting  little  daughter.  Oh !  how 
will  these  three  little  ones  miss  the  tender  love,  watchful  care,  and 


prayerful  instruction  of  their  dear,  absent  mother.  May  God  in 
covenant  grace  and  mercy  ever  guide  them,  and  keep  them  as  in 
the  hollow  of  his  hand  from  all  evil.  They  are  all  at  present  at 
school  in  the  Bellefonte  Academy. 

8.  Hannah  Eliza  Hughes,  the  eighth  child  of  James  R.  and 
Eliza  E.  Hughes,  was  born  in  her  father's  house  at  Cape  May,  N.  J., 
February  21,  1830.  She  made  a  profession  of  religion  in  her  early 
years,  and  consistently  and  faithfully  maintained  it  until  her  dying 
hour.  She  received  her  education  under  her  own  father,  and  Rev. 
Moses  Williamson,  her  pastor,  at  Cape  May,  and  at  Lewistown 
Academy,  Pa.,  and  afterwards  graduated  at  the  Fairview  Female 
Seminary,  Jacksonville,  Centre  county.  Pa.,  under  the  care  of  Rev. 
S.  M.  Cooper.  She  then  became  assistant  principal  there  untd  her 
marriage  July  7th,  1852,  to  Thomas  McMinn,  a  carpenter  in  that 
vicinity.  They  moved  to  Altoona,  Pa.,  and  made  that  their  home 
until  her  death,  August  15,  1861,  aged  thirty-one  years  five  months 
and  twenty-four  days.  The  following  obituary  notice  of  her  was 
taken  from  an  Altoona  paper  of  that  date. 

"Died,  in  this  borough,  on  the  15th  instant,  Mrs.  Hannah  E. 
McMinn,  wife  of  Thomas  McMinn  in  the  thirty-second  year  of  her 
age.  In  the  decease  of  Mrs,  McMinn,  the  community  mourn  the 
loss  of  an  esteemed  friend,  the  church  of  an  exemplary  Christian, 
and  the  family  of  an  affectionate  wife  and  loving  mother.  The 
characteristic  of  her  Christian  life  was  humility  ;  always  avoiding 
undue  publicity  and  show,  but  exhibiting  to  all  the  depth  of  her 
piety  and  the  fervency  of  her  zeal  by  a  godly  walk  and  conversation, 
and  manifesting  her  confidence  in  God  by  a  quiet  submission  to  the 
aflflictive  dispensation  of  his  providences.  The  same  hope  which 
cheered  in  life  sustained  her  in  her  declining  days.  During  her 
protracted  and  painful  illness,  she  exhibted  no  ordinary  amount  of 
child-like  submission  to  the  will  of  God — uttering  no  word  of 
complaint,  but  ever  ready  to  say  : 

'   Thy  will  be  done." 

For  a  considerable  time  before  death  she  seemed  fully  aware  that 
her  departure  was  at  hand.  She  looked  upon  death  without  alarm, 
and  patiently  awaited  its  approach.  She  took  especial  delight  in 
the  sacred  Scriptures,  particularly  in  the  devotional  and  promissory 


67* 

portions,  and  seeme<i  to  be  in  almost  constant  communication  with 
God.  Her  mind  remained  unclouded  till  the  last — her  faith  firm 
and  unshaken,  and  she  died  as  she  lived,  trusting  in  the  Lord."  She 
was  buried  in  the  Altoona  cemetery. 

Mr.  Thomas  and  Mrs.  Hannah  E.  McMinn  had  five  children. 

1st.  Charles  W.  was  born  August  i6,  1853,  and  died  June  7, 
1854,  aged  nine  months  and  twenty-two  days. 

2d.  James  H.  was  born  August  25,  1855,  and  died  September  19, 
1856,  a^ed  one  year  and  twenty-five  days. 

3d  Lawrence  N.  was  born  June  7,  1857,  and  died  October  10, 
1858,  aged  one  year,  four  months  and  three  days. 

4th.  Elizabeth  F.  was  born  at  Altoona,  Pa.,  June  20,  1-859. 

5th.  John  Calvin,  was  born  May,  1861,  and  died  July,  1861,  the 
month  before  its  mother  died,  aged  two  months. 

The  four  sons  that  died  are  all  buried  with  their  mother  in  the 
same  lot  in  the  Altoona  cemetery,  Pennsylvania,  and  each  one  has 
its  own  proper  tombstone. 

Ehzabeth  F.  McMinn  was  educated  at  Birmingham,  Pa.,  from 
January,  1873,  to  June,  1876,  taught  music  in  Chicago  from  Sep- 
tember, 1879,  to  September,  1889,  and  was  married  at  Chicago,  111., 
to  Mr.  William  F.  Tucker,  at  noon  on  Thursday,  September  12,  1889, 
in  St.  Paul's  Reformed  Episcopal  Church  by  the  rector.  Bishop 
Samuel  Fallows.     She  now  signs   her  name,  Elizabeth  F.  Tucker. 

Mr.  William  F.  Tucker,  her  husband,  was  born  September  29, 
1849,  ^^  Enford,  Wiltshire,  England,  and  was  also  educated  in 
England.  He  came  to  this  country  and  settled  in  business  in 
Chicago,  and  remained  there  for  twelve  years.  He  is  now  engaged 
in  Minnesota  Farm  Mortgages,  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.  A  lady 
living  in  Iowa,  who  met  him,  thinks  he  is  a  splendid  gentleman. 

9.  Mary  Bennett  Hughes,  the  ninth  child  of  James  R.  and 
Eliza  E.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J,,  March  25,  1833. 
She  united  with  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  May  14, 
1844,  when  she  was  only  a  little  over  eleven  years  old.  Like  her 
sisters,  she  attended  school  at  Cape  May,  first  with  her  father,  and 
then  at  the  Academy  with  her  pastor.  She  afterwards  spent  some 
time  at  the  Fairview  Seminary,  in  Centre  county.  Pa.,  with  her 
sister  Hannah  Eliza,  and  then  went  to  Cottage  Seminary  at  Pottstown, 
Pa.,  Rev.  William  Work,  Principal,  where  she  graduated.    Receiving 


68. 

a  call,  she  taught  school  one  year  near  Smyrna,  Delaware.  While 
there  she  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  small  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Smyrna,  helped  organize  a  Woman's  Sewing  Society,  and  raised 
5300;  then,  with  the  additional  aid  of  the  men,  they  renovated  the 
building  and  made  it  one  of  the  prettiest  little  churches  around. 
That  same  year  a  revival  of  religion  commenced  there,  and  numbers 
were  added  to  the  church.  Needing  rest,  Mary  B.  got  her  sister 
Emma  to  take  her  place  in  the  school,  and  then  visited  her  home 
at  Cape  May,  N.  J,  After  a  little  she  taught  there  for  a  time,  and 
then  went  to  Southwestern  Iowa,  to  visit  her  brother,  Rev.  Daniel 
L.  Hughes,  where  she  assisted  him  one  winter  in  a  high  school  at 
Glenwood,  Mills  county,  Iowa,  and  afterwards  took  charge  of  the 
public  school  at  Plattsmouth,  Cass  county,  Nebraska.  She  taught 
there  until  she  was  married  by  her  brother.  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes, 
at  his  residence  in  Pacific  City,  Iowa,  on  November  15,  i860,  to 
Charles  Hollister  Fletcher,  Esq.,  of  Plattsmouth,  Nebraska.  His 
father  was  John  Cotton  Fletcher,  born  in  the  Isle  of  South  Hero, 
Lake  Champlain,  Vermont,  September  24,  1805.  His  mother  was 
Sarah  Terrell  Anthony  Fletcher,  born  in  Richmond,  Va.,  September 
25,  1811.  They  were  married  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  May  9,  1832. 
His  father  died  April  12,  1861,  and  his  mother  died  June  15,  1886, 
Both  are  buried  at  Burlington,  Iowa. 

Charles  Hollister  Fletcher,  their  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Springfield, 
Ohio,  September  7,  1837.  He  pursued  his  studies  in  the  Academy 
in  Denmark,  Iowa,  and  at  Lombard  College,  Galesburg,  Illinois. 
He  then  passed  through  a  successful  course  of  study  at  West 
Point,  N.  Y.,  until  May  31,  1856.  After  leaving  West  Point,  he 
read  law  in  the  office  of  Browning  and  Phelps,  Burlington,  Iowa ; 
practiced  in  Plattsmouth,  Nebraska,  and  after  marriage  visiting 
Cape  May,  N.  J.,  with  his  wife,  practiced  some  there,  and  also  while 
there  united  with  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church.  They  then 
returned  to  the  home  of  his  parents,  Burlington,  Iowa.  When  the 
war  broke  out  in  1 861,  he  entered  the  service  of  his  country  as 
Second  Lieutenant,  Regular  United  States  Army.  He  was 
promoted  right  along  as  First  Lieutenant ;  then  as  Captain,  and 
then  at  the  battle  of  Corinth,  Mississippi,  he  was  brevetted  Major 
for  meritorious  conduct.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  resigned  his 
commission  on  account  of  ill  health  ;  but  with  his  family  he  resided 


for  a  numberof  years  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  and  in  Washington,  D.  C,  in 
the  employ  of  the  Government,  after  which  he  came  with  his  family 
to  Chicago,  III.,  and  engaged  in  literary  and  newspaper  business. 
He  resided  here  during  the  great  Chicago  fire  on  October  9,  1871, 
and  with  others  suffered  there  much  loss.  Dr.  C.  O.  Waters 
(Calvin),  who  was  an  eye  witness  and  a  sufferer,  also,  wrote  of  that 
terrible  catastrophe  thus  : — "  The  fire  burned  fiercely  for  twenty-four 
hours,  entirely  destroyed  the  business  portion  of  the  city  and  nearly 
all  its  residence  districts,  made  one  hundred  thousand  people 
homeless,  and  consumed  property  amounting  to  at  least  ^100.000,000 
and  left  Chicago  without  a  bank,  without  a  newspaper  office, 
without  a  prominent  hotel,  or  a  single  public  building;  an  event 
which  brought  so  many  pecuniary  losses  that  have  never  been  and 
never  will  be  replaced,  but  from  which  we  were  glad  to  escape 
alive,  and  in  such  clothing  as  was  most  handy  at  the  time." 

Mr.  Fletcher's  health  again  failing  him,  he,  with  his  family,  spent 
some  time  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  and  then  he  took  the  Presidency  of  the 
Narrow  Guage  Railroad  project,  to  connect  the  South  with  Iowa 
and  other  Western  States.  He  was  thus  acting  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  died  at  Keosauqua,  Iowa,  January  2,  1877,  aged  forty- 
nine  years,  three  months  and  twenty-five  days,  and  was  buried  in 
the  family  lot,  in  the  Burlington  cemetery,  Iowa. 

After  his  death,  his  wife  having  recovered  from  a  long  illness 
returned  to  Chicago  and  taught  school  there  until  her  throat  and 
lungs  (ailed  her.  She  rested  and  visited  her  brother.  Rev.  Jacob 
V.  Hughes,  at  Kllbourn  City,  Wisconsin,  remaining  with  him  for 
six  months,  and  so  far  recovered  her  strength  that  she  was  able  to 
return  to  Chicago  and  accept  the  Matronship  of  the  Talcott  Home 
and  Free  Kindergarten  School,  that  was  offered  her — where  for  the 
last  five  or  six  years  she  has  been  enabled  to  do  efficient,  useful 
and  satisfactory  work,  even  with  impaired  health,  among  the  poor 
and  fallen  classes.  Her  life  has  been  one  of  toil  and  trial — one  of 
energy  and  piety,  of  activity  and  suffering,  of  devotion  and  usefulness. 

Hollie  Hughes  Fletcher,  the  only  son  of  Charles  H.  and  Mary 
B.  Fletcher,  was  born  in  Burlington,  Iowa,  August  22,  1861,  and 
died  in  Chicago,  III.,  April  11,  1888,  aged  twenty-six  years,  seven 
months  and  nineteen  days.  He  was  buried  in  the  family  lot  in  the 
cemetery  of  Burlington,  Iowa. 


70. 

An  infant  daughter,  two  months  after  its  father'is  death,  was  born 
to  them  in  Unionville,  Pa.,  March  2,  1877,  and  was  buried  March 
3,  1877,  in  Unionville,  Pa. 

10.  Emma  Melinda  Hughes,  the  tenth  child  of  James  R.  and 
Eliza  E.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  January  22,  1836. 
She  made  a  profession  of  religion  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian 
Church,  February  12,  1852,  when  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  has 
ever  since  proved  faithful  to  her  covenant  Lord  and  Redeemer.  She 
went  to  school  first  to  her  father,  then  studied  in  the  Cold  Spring 
Academy  under  her  pastor,  then  went  to  Fairview  Seminary  at 
Jacksonville,  Pa.,  and  from  thence  to  Mt.  Holyoke  Seminary,  Mass., 
where  she  spent  two  years — leaving  there  in  1856.  She  then  took 
her  sister  Mary's  place  in  the  school  near  Smyrna,  Delaware,  and 
taught  there  for  some  time  ;  after  which  she  went  to  the  assistance 
of  her  brother,  Rev.  James  P.  Hughes, at  Edgehill  School,  Princeton, 
N.  J.,  and  remained  there  until  her  marriage.  She  was  married 
July  31,  1 86 1,  at  Edgehill,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  by  Rev.  Charles  M. 
Oakley,  to  Rev.  John  Sinclair  Roberts,  the  brother  of  her  sister-in- 
law,  Mrs.  Rev.  James  P.  Hughes.  Her  husband,  Rev.  John  S- 
Roberts,  was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  25,  1839.  ^^  received 
his  classical  education  at  the  college  of  the  city  of  New  York. 
After  he  left  college  he  decided  to  study  law,  and  went  with  letters- 
of  introduction  to  Hon.  William  F.  Seward,  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  intending 
to  study  in  his  office.  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Brown,  D.D.,  of  the  Dutch 
Reformed  Church,  had  returned,  as  a  Foreign  Missionary,  from 
Singapore,  to  educate  his  family  and  had  a  school  in  Auburn.  Mr. 
Roberts,  being  a  fine  classical  scholar,  was  engaged  to  teach  some 
hours  in  this  school.  There  he  met  Mrs.  Phebe  Brown,  the  mother 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Drown.  It  was  she  who  wrote  that  beautiful  hymn — 
"  I  love  to  steal  awhile  away."  She  took  a  great  fancy  to  Mr. 
Roberts,  loving  him  as  a  son ;  and  it  was  through  her  influence 
that  he  became  a  Christian.  He  then  changed  his  plans  in  regard 
to  law,  and  preferred  to  be  an  ambassador  for  Christ.  He  went  to 
Princeton,  N.  J.,  studied  theology  there  for  three  years,  and 
graduated  in  1861.  During  the  last  two  years  of  his  course  in  the 
Theological  Seminary,  he  taught  Greek  in  the  Edgehill  School, 
Princeton,  under  the  care   of  Rev.  James  P.  Hughes.     After  his 


71. 

inarriage  in  July,  he  left  with  his  wife,  as  missionaries,  for  China, 
October  12,  1861.  There  they  labored  diligently  and  successfully 
for  four  years.  Mr.  Roberts  being  an  excellent  linguist  soon 
acquired  the  mastery  of  the  Chinese  language  and  spoke  it  fluently. 
But  in  1864,  his  health  broke  down  from  a  disease  affecting 
the  blood,  so  that  in  1865,  he  was  compelled  to  return  with  his 
family  to  America.  In  1866,  he  was  chosen  assistant  to  Rev.  John 
D.  Wells,  D.D.,  in  Brooklyn,  E.  D.  In  1867,  he  was  elected  to 
the  chair  of  Mathematics  and  Astronomy  in  Jefferson  College,  at 
Canonsburgh,  Pa.  Here  his  health  again  gave  way  by  a  hemorrhage 
-of  the  kidneys,  and  he  had  to  resign  his  professorship.  In  1869, 
he  supplied  the  vacant  pulpit  in  the  Bellefonte  Presbyterian  Church, 
Pa.,  for  three  months  ;  and  as  he  was  an  able,  fluent  and  popular 
preacher,  he  might  have  received  a  call  to  become  its  regular  pastor 
had  not  his  impaired  health  warned  him  against  accepting  such 
heavy  responsibilities. 

He  went  as  the  first  pastor  to  the  Glen  Cove  Church,  N.  Y., 
December  2,  1869.  Afterwards,  being  invited  by  his  brother-in-law 
to  assist  him  in  teaching  in  the  Bellefonte  Academy,  Pa.,  he  accepted 
the  invitation  and  returned  to  Bellefonte  in  1871.  But  he  had  all 
along  cherished  the  hope  that  he  might  be  able  to  enter  soon  upon 
his  chosen  missionary  work  in  China;  and  so  in  1874,  contrary  to 
the  advice  of  many  of  his  friends,  he  returned  with  his  family  to 
Shanghai,  China.  He  immediately  and  zealously  engaged  in  his 
beloved  work  with  all  his  powers.  This  work  in  China  consisted 
-chiefly  in  preaching  and  translating  the  Scriptures.  He  had  charge 
of  four  Chinese  schools  ;  he  went  out  to  his  chapels  nearly  every 
day ;  itinerated  in  the  country,  and  he  preached  often  in  English 
to  English  audiences.  His  leisure  was  occupied  in  studying 
Chinese.  His  wife  writes,  "  I  never  knew  of  more  indefatigable 
labor."  Rev.  Dr.  J.  D.  Wells  said,  "  He  had  done  the  work  of  two 
men  in  his  short  life  time."  But  he  could  stand  it  no  longer.  His 
constitution,  never  very  strong,  succumbed  through  overwork  to 
nervous  prostration  which  affected  his  brain  in  1878.  He  was  again 
compelled  to  leave  China,  and  arrived  in  America,  October,  1878. 
The  next  day  he  was  taken  to  Morris  Plains,  N.  J.,  where  he  has 
been  ever  since,  retired  from  all  public  and  responsible  duties. 
He  remains  in  about  the  same  condition.     Sometimes  he  is  cheerful 


73, 

and  patient,  and  at  other  times  he  is  restless  and  suffers  mentally^. 
His  situation  is  a  very  trying  one,  both  for  himself  and  his  family. 
The  affliction  itself  seems  a  remarkable  one  providentiall}- — that  a 
gospel  minister  so  gifted,  so  consecrated,  and  so  useful,  must  be  for 
so  man);  years  entirely  laid  aside  from  all  public  activity,  when  the 
world  is  perishing  for  the  want  of  just  such  devoted  laborers.  We 
can  only  say  in  the  submissive  language  of  Jesus,  who  was  just 
about  to  be  crucified,  "  Nevertheless  not  as  I  will,  but  as  Thou 
wilt/'     The  Christian  poet  Cowper  truly  says — 

"  Blind  unbelief  is  sure  to  err; 
And  scan  His  work  in  vain  ; 
God  is  His  own  interpreter, 
And  he  will  make  it  plain." 

Our  Heavenly  Father  himself,  in  loving  kindness,  and  inspiring 
our  confidence,  says  : — "  Be  still  and  know  that  I  am  God  :  I  will 
be  exalted  among  the  heathen,  I  will  be  exalted  in  the  earth." 

The  children  of  Rev.  John  L.  and  Emma  M.  Roberts  are  five — 
Lida  Hughes,  Alice  Oakley,  John  Sinclair,  Eva  Duryea,  and  Ethel 
Winn. 

1st.  Lida  Hughes  Roberts  was  born  at  Shanghai,  China,  May 
i6,  1862,  and  died  at  Tung  Chow.  China,  September  8,  1863,  aged 
one  year,  three  months,  and  twenty-three  days. 

2nd.  Alice  Oakley  Roberts  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  Dec- 
ember I,  1865,  and  died  at  Glen  Cove,  N.  Y.,  December  2,  1870, 
aged  five  years  and  one  day. 

3rd.  John  Sinclair  Roberts  was  born  at  Glen  Cove,  N.  Y.,, 
March  7,  1870. 

4th.  Eva  Duryea  Roberts  was  born  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  May  31^ 
1872. 

5th.  Ethel  Winn  Roberts  was  born  at  Shanghai,  China,  Decem- 
ber 10,  1875;  ^"d  died  at  Shanghai,  China,  February  4,  1876, 
aged  one  month,  and  twenty-four  days. 

One  child  died  and  was  buried  in  America  ;  and  two  children 
died  and  were  buried  in  China — that  far  off  land — where  also  the 
father's  and  husband's  health  was  twice  broken  down,  and  th'"  last 
time  irreparably,  besides  all  their  many  labors  and  privations  there. 
Surely  they  have  been  called  to  drink  of  the  cup  of  affliction. 

Of  the  two  living  children,  John  Sinclair,  the  only  son,  and  Eva 


Duryea,  the  daughter,  are  both  in  covenant  relation  with  God ;  are 
both  members  of  the  visible  church  ;  both  attended  school  at  the 
Academy  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.;  both  studied  at  Blairstown  Academy, 
N.  J.  Sinclair  went  from  there  to  Princeton  College,  N.  J.,  and 
entered  upon  a  regular  course  of  study  in  the  college  classes  in 
preparation  for  the  gospel  ministry ;  while  Eva  pursued  her  music 
and  other  studies  elsewhere  in  preparation  for  college.  She  is  at 
this  present  writing  going  lo  College  in  Baltimore,  Md.  Mrs. 
Emma  M.  Roberts,  the  wife  and  mother,  has  been  required,  ever 
smce  her  husband's  permanent  illness,  to  struggle  and  exert  herself 
to  the  utmost  in  every  providential  and  honorable  way  to  sustain 
herself  and  family  until  now.  She  assisted  her  brother.  Rev.  James 
P.  Hughes,  some  six  years  in  teaching  in  his  Academy  at  Belle- 
fonte, Pa.,  until  her  own  health  broke  down  and  she  felt  obliged  to 
resign  her  work  there.  Since  then  she  has  assisted  in  the  oversight 
of  domestic  and  boarding  arrangements,  in  giving  private  instruc- 
tion, or  in  helping  Missionary  societies  and  delivering  Missionar}- 
addresses — in  all  which  her  native  strength  of  mind,  literary  culture, 
moral  energy,  and  varied  experience  have  qualified  her  for  extended 
usefulness.  Her  present  residence  is  No.  17  Pastorius  street^ 
Germantown,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

II.  Amelia  Foster  Hughes,  the  eleventh  child  of  James  R.  and 
Eliza  E.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  June  7,  1839.  She 
united  with  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  in  her  fifteenth 
year,  on  March  9,  1854.  Her  first  teacher  was  her  own  dear  father 
until  she  was  over  thirteen  years  of  age.  She  then  went  to  Sweet 
Hollow,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  and  was  under  the  charge  of  her 
brother-in-law.  Rev.  Charles  M.  Oakley,  for  about  a  year.  After 
that  she  was  a  pupil  in  the  seminary  at  Kishacoquillas,  Mifflin 
county,  Pa.,  under  the  care  of  Prof  L.  G.  Grier  and  Miss  Jennie 
Davis.  The  following  year  she  spent  at  the  seminary  at  Pottstown, 
Montgomery  county,  Pa.,  Rev.  William  R.  Work,  Principal.  The 
next  year  she  was  a  pupil  at  the  Worcester  College,  Worcester. 
Mass.  One  of  her  teachers  there  was  Miss  Abby  Judson,  the 
daughter  of  Rev.  Adoniram  Judson,  Missionary  to  Burmah,  India. 
Miss  Abby  came  over  to  America  when  she  was  twelve  years  old, 
and  remembered  a  little  Burmese  song  which  she  used  to  sing  to 


74 

her  pupils.  During  the  winter  of  1859  and  i860,  in  order  to  take 
some  farther  lessons  in  music  and  other  accomplishments,  Amelia 
F.  was  a  pupil  in  the  Female  Seminary  on  G  street,  Washington, 
D.  C,  Mrs.  Thomas  Smith,  Principal.  Her  special  teacher  was 
Miss  Jeannette  Douglass,  well  known  at  that  time  in  literary  circles. 
During  the  year  1861  and  a  part  of  1862,  she  assisted  her  brother, 
'Rev.  James  P.  Hughes,  at  Edgehill,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  after  her  sister 
Emma  M.  was  married  and  left,  in  the  superintendency  of  that 
institution  for  her  brother.  It  was  during  Amelia's  sojourn  there 
that  her  own  marriage  took  place.  She  was  married  July  9,  1862, 
by  Rev.  John  Hall,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Churchy 
Trenton,  N.  J.,  to  Mr.  John  Kershaw,  an  assistant  teacher  in  the 
Edgehill  School. 

Mr.  Kershaw,  son  of  James  and  Eliza  Kershaw,  was  born  in 
Patterson,  N.  J.,  May  14,  1842.  After  his  marriage  he  taught  school 
at  Little  Falls,  N.  J.,  from  September,  1862,  to  April,  1864.  He 
then  taught  in  New  York  City  from  April,  1864,  to  April,  1868  ; 
and  in  the  mean  time,  from  1865  to  1868,  went  through  himself  a 
course  of  study  in  the  Union  Theological  Seminary,  N.  Y.,  and  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  next  taught  school  at  Passaic, 
N.  J.,  1868  to  1873;  then  was  .pastor  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
Brookdale,  N.  J.,  1873,  to  1880;  then  taught  in  Leadville,  Colorado, 
fi-om  September,  1880,  to  July,  1881.  Again  he  became  a  pastor, 
and  labored  as  such  in  the  Congregational  Church  at  Bound  Brook, 
N.  J.,  from  December,  1881.  to  September,  1885.  He  then  accepted 
an  invitation  to  the  Presidency  of  Tillotson  Institute,  Austin, Texas, 
and  continued  1885  to  1886;  then  acted  as  Superintendent  Mis- 
sionary in  the  Tennessee  mountains,  1886  to  1887,  and  then  became 
pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church,  corner  of  Grand  street  and 
Atlantic  avenue,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1887 — where  he  is  at  the 
present  time,  doing  active  and  efficient  work.  Mr.  Kershaw  bought 
a  magic  lantern  and  many  beautiful  views,  some  of  them  from 
Europe,  and  with  these,  in  addition  to  his  Mission  Chapel  work,  he 
is  doing  a  good  work  in  the  evenings  in  the  churches  of  New  York 
City.  He  has  been  an  enterprising  and  useful  educator,  and  an 
interesting  and  popular  preacher. 

The  children  of  Rev   John  and  Amelia  F.  Kershaw  are  nine. 

I  St.  Edward  Payson  Kershaw  was  born   May  7,  1864,  and  died 


75-. 

January  3,  iS66,  aged  one  year,  seven  months  and  twenty-six  days. 

2d.  Eliza  Gordon  Kershaw  was  born  November  19,  1866.  She 
taught  in  the  Tillotson  Institute,  Austin,  Texas,  1886  and  1887  ; 
studied  at  Oberlin  College,  Ohio,  1888 — 1889,  and  then  taught  at 
North  Branch,  N.  J.  She  is  now,  February  26,  1891,  principal  at 
61  Poplar  street,  Brooklyn,  New  York. 

3d.  Carrie  Kershaw  was  born  April  27,  1869  ^^^  ^^^^  August 
22,  1869,  aged  three  months  and  twenty-five  days. 

4th.  John  Alfred  Kershaw  was  born  August  26,  1870,  and  is 
engaged  in  the  paper  business  in  New  York  City, 

5th.  Mary  Fletcher  Kershaw  was  born  September  22,  1872,  and 
died  April  29,  1876,  aged  three  years,  seven  months  and  seven  days. 

6th.  Herbert  Kershaw  was  born  July  19,  1874,  and  died  April 
30,  1876,  aged  one  year,  nine  months  and  eleven  days. 

7th.  Albert  Van  Houten  Kershaw  was  born  July  25,  1876. 

8th.  Eva  Roberts  Kershaw  was  born  April  26,  1879. 

9th.  Ada  Louise  Kershaw,  the  last  child,  was  born  October  13, 
1882.  The  last  three  children,  Albert,  Eva  and  Ada,  are  students 
in  the  Bound  Brook  public  schools.  Albert  is  in  the  Grammar 
Department,  and  Eva  and  Ada  are  in  the  Intermediate — all  trying 
to  prepare  for  usefulness  in  future  life. 

Mrs.  Kershaw,  besides  experiencing  many  trials  in  her  family, 
has  been  sorely  afflicted  in  her  own  person  with  a  serious  eye 
trouble.  She  has  been  under  medical  treatment  for  about  two 
years  with  ulcer  of  the  cornea  in  the  right  eye — requiring  her  to  go 
to  the  hospital  in  Brooklyn  every  other  day  for  over  a  year.  It  has 
been  very  expensive,  and  she  has  also  been  called  to  suffer  much. 
She  was  not  allowed  to  either  read,  write  or  sew,  She  is  doing 
better,  however,  now,  and  is  allowed  to  read  or  write ;.  although 
she  must  not  tire  her  eyes,  or  the  inflammation  will  return.  Her 
physicians  say  she  is  doing  as  well  as  can  be  expected,  but  she 
fears  sometimes  that  the  cloud  will  never  be  lifted.  Such  are  some 
of  the  ills  of  life  that  befall  stricken  persons  and  stricken  households. 
But  here  come  in  the  precious  promises  of  God,  as  a  healing  balm 
to  both  body  and  soul,  and  they  are  all  yea  and  amen  in  Christ 
Jesus.  "  What  time  I  am  afraid  I  will  trust  in  thee.  Many  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  righteous  ;  but  the  Lord  delivereth  him  out  of 
them  all.     Perfect  through  suffering.     And  we  know  that  all  things 


76. 

work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them  who  are 
the  called  according  to  his  purpose." 

12.  Rev.  Jacob  Van  Rensselaer  Hughes,  the  twelfth  and  last 
child  of  James  R.  and  Eliza  E.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Cape  May,  N. 
J.,  September  ii,  1844.  He  bears  the  name  of  Jacob  from  both 
his  grandfather  and  his  uncle,  and  he  bears  the  name  of  Van 
Rensselaer  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Van  Rensselaer,  for  many  years  the 
beloved  and  efficient  corresponding  Secretary  of  our  General 
Assembly's  Board  of  Education,  and  to  whom  our  father  was  much 
attached.  Jacob  attended  school  during  his  earlier  years  at  Cape 
May,  and  then  when  about  twelve  years  of  age  he  was  sent  to 
school  at  Edgehill,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  placed  under  the  care  and 
tuition  of  his  older  brother  James,  one  of  the  Principals  of  that 
noted  school.  While  here  he  united  upon  profession  of  faith  with  the 
First  Presbyterian  Church  at  Princeton,  and  here  under  the  faithful 
training  of  his  brother  and  other  teachers,  he  was  thoroughly 
prepared  in  due  time  to  enter  Princeton  college,  in  which  he 
maintained  a  high  grade  of  scholarship  throughout  his  entire  course 
until  his  graduation  in  1867.  He  then  went  to  the  Theological 
Seminary  at  Princeton,  and  graduated  from  it  in  1870.  He  was 
licensed  and  ordained  to  preach  the  Gospel  by  the  Presbytery  of 
New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in  the  spring  of  1870. 

And  he  has  proved  himself  to  be  a  successful  and  popular 
preacher  ever  since  in  every  station  he  has  been  called  to  fill.  His 
brother  James  having  assumed  the  Principalship  of  the  Bellefonte 
Academy,  Pa.,  he  first  assisted  him  in  teaching  there  for  three  or 
more  years,  from  April  1870  to  June  1873.  Here  he  met  a  lady 
teacher  in  the  same  school,  Miss  Elizabeth  Catharine  McGinnes, 
a  graduate  of  Springfield,  Ohio.  She  was  the  daughter  of  the  late 
Rev.  James  Y.  McGinnes,  of  Shade  Gap,  Pa.,  and  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
1\I.  McGinnes,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  of  Canonsburg,  Pa. 
And  on  July  27,  1870,  we  read  that  Rev.  Jacob  V.  Hughes  and 
Miss  Elizabeth  C.  McGinnes  were  married  at  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  by 
Rev.  Wm.  F.  Brown.  He  was  installed  as  Pastor  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  Unionville  and  Port  Matilda  in  the  Bald  Eagle 
Valley,  Centre  county,  Pa.,  in  1874,  and  preached  there  for  nearly 
five  years  ;  he  also  supplied  Buffalo  Run,  in  connection  with  them^ 


for  two  years.  He  tlien  accepted  an  invitation  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church  at  Kilbourn  City,  Wisconsin,  to  become  their  pastor.  He 
settled  there  in  March,  1878,  and  preached  for  them  about  three 
years,  when  his  health  and  lungs,  never  very  strong,  failed  him 
and  he  was  compelled  to  resign  his  charge  in  September,  1881. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  very  popular  and  useful  at  Kilbourn,  and 
had  endeared  themselves  to  the  people;  so  that  when  Mr,  Hughes 
resigned  and  was  seeking  to  make  other  arrangements,  the  Post- 
master of  that  city  offered  to  resign  his  office  in  his  favor,  if  he 
would  accept  of  the  Post  Office,  and  with  his  family  remain  in 
Kilbourn  City.  He  did  so,  and  acted  as  Postmaster  there  very 
acceptably  for  over  four  years  ;  when  his  health  being  improved, 
and  he  thought  his  lungs  would  stand  preaching  again,  he  accepted 
a  second  call  from  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  at  Shawano, 
Wisconsin,  and  entered  April  1886,  upon  a  pastoral  work  there  in 
that  growing  county  seat.  The  following  clipping  from  a  Cape 
May  City,  N.  J.  paper  was  originally  taken  from  the  Mirror 
Gazette,  of  Kilbourn  City,  Wisconsin,  of  February  4,  1886.  "Rev. 
J.  V.  Hughes  has  tendered  his  resignation  as  postmaster  at  this 
place,  and  has  accepted  a  call  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Shawano,  Wisconsin.  There  is  no  other  position  in  the  service  of 
the  people  so  hard  to  fill  satisfactorily  as  that  of  a  postmaster.  It  is 
considered  impossible  for  any  man  to  serve  in  that  capacity  and 
please  every  patron  of  the  office.  And  yet,  Mr.  Hughes  has  come 
as  near  doing  that  as  mortal  man  can.  We  do  not  believe  any 
man  was  ever  more  universally  liked  in  that  position  than  he  is, 
and  his  resignation  will  cause  general  regret.  This  change  is  more 
to  be  regretted  from  the  fact  that  it  will  take  himself  and  family 
from  the  town.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hughes  have  been  here  for  many 
years,  and  during  his  ministry  in  the  Presbyterian  Chyrch,  and  since 
that  time,  they  have  won  the  highest  place  in  the  esteem  of  the 
community.  Mrs.  Hughes'  talent  and  accomplishments  have  been 
directed  in  the  interests  of  our  young  people,  and  her  place  in  that 
ennobling  work  will  not  be  easily  supplied.  If  they  are  as  highly 
appreciated  by  the  people  of  Shawano  as  they  have  been  here  their 
field  of  usefulness  will  only  be  enlarged." 

At   Shawano    his    labors    from    the    first    until    now  have  been 
appreciated  and  blessed.     He  has  been  both   popular  and  useful. 


7&. 

The  Interior,  of  Chicago,  111.,  under  date  of  August,  1890,  says  '. 
"The  work  in  Shawano,  Wisconsin,  moves  on  very  smoothly  and 
with  a  great  degree  of  encouragement.  The  services  are  well 
attended,  and  the  Sabbath  School  and  Prayer  Meeting  well 
sustained.  Three  persons  have  lately  been  added  to  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  the  Rev.  J.  V,  Hughes  has  great  reason  for 
gratitude  for  the  progress  made  during  the  five  years  of  his  pastorate." 
We  also  insert  here  the  following  approving  reference  to  him,, 
taken  from  the  Cape  May  Wave,  March  21,  1891  : — 

"  We  are  glad  to  learn  from  one  of  our  religious  papers  that 
Rev.  J.  V.  Hughes,  brother  of  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes,  now 
sojourning  with  us,  who  is  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
Shawano,  Wisconsin,  is  being  greatly  prospered  in  his  ministry. 
His  church  is  in  the  midst  of  a  powerful  revival,  in  and  on  account  of 
which  the  whole  town  is  moved.  This  will  be  gratifying  news  to 
his  friends  and  relatives  here." 

But  here  a  very  dark  shadow  fell  across  his  path.  The  deepest 
sorrow  of  his  life  came  to  his  heart  and  home  in  the  loss  of  his  dear 
wife,  and  companion  in  labors.  She  died  at  Shawano,  Wisconsin, 
May  1 1,  1888,  aged  forty-five  years  and  nine  days  ;  and  was  buried 
in  the  beautiful  cemetery  there,  with  these  choice  words  engraven 
on  her  monument — "  I  shall  be  satisfied  when  I  awake  with  His 
likeness."  Brother  Jacob  wrote  me  under  date  of  Shawano,  Wis.^ 
May  18,  1888,  "  I  feel  as  if  I  had  lost  so  much;  but  God  is  very 
gracious  to  me,  I  can  hardly  believe  dear  L.  has  gone,  but  alas, 
it  is  only  too  true." 

Mrs.  Hughes  was  born  May  2,  1843,  at  Lewiston,  Illinois.  Her 
maiden  name  was  Elizabeth  Catharine  McGinnes,  named  after  her 
mother.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  James  Y.  and  Elizabeth 
M.  McGinnes,  as  already  stated. 

Rev.  J.  Y.  McGinnes  was  born  of  godly  parents  at  Shippensburg,. 
Pa.,  December  8,  18 15,  his  father  being  a  Ruling  Elder  in  the 
Presbvterian  Church  of  that  place,  and  he  died  on  Sabbath  morning, 
August  31,  1851,  at  Shade  Gap,  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  aged 
thirty-five  years,  eight  months  and  twenty-three  days,  and  in  the 
eleventh  year  of  his  ministry,  beloved  of  all,  lamented  by  all.  He 
graduated  at  Jefferson  College,  Pa.,  in  the  Fall  of  1835  ;  studied 
theology  at   South    Hanover,  Indiana    from    1837   to    1840;  was 


79. 

licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Madison,  in  South  Hanover,  June  27, 
1840  ;  was  married  October  22,  1840,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Criswell, 
of  Franklin  county,  Pa.,  to  whom  he  had  been  engaged  for  two 
years  ;  was  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Peoria,  at  Knoxville,  111., 
September  4,  1841,  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Lewistown 
Presbyterian  Church,  Illinois,  September  19,  1841.  But  having 
preached  here  with  great  acceptance  for  three-and-a-half  years,  he 
was  compelled  because  of  repeated  bilious  attacks  to  leave  that 
beloved  charge  in  October,  1843,  ^^^  return  for  his  health  and  life 
to  the  more  congenial  climate  of  his  native  air  among  the  mountains 
of  Pennsylvania.  In  October,  1844,  he  began  his  remarkably  useful 
labors  at  Shade  Gap,  Huntingdon  county.  Pa.,  as  the  pastor  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  there,  and  the  founder  and  principal  of 
Milnwood  Academy.  He  there  stamped  his  own  name  with 
imperishable  honor,  and  blessed  the  church  and  the  world  with  the 
institutions  of  his  own  creating  genius.  But  for  a  fuller  account  of 
his  life,  character  and  writings,  I  must  refer  you  to  a  sketch  I 
prepared  and  published  of  him  in  Philadelphia,  in  1854,  in  a  12  mo. 
volume  of  352  pages.  He  was  one  of  the  most  popular  and 
efficient  preachers  and  teachers  of  his  day,  during  his  short  life. 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  M.  McGinnes,  his  wife,  was  born  in  Franklin 
county,  Pa.,  October  22,  1818.  She  was  a  most  prudent  and 
devoted  wife,  a  loving  and  faithful  mother,  a  kind  and  sympathizing 
neighbor,  and  an  active,  benevolent  and  devoted  Christian.  After 
her  husband's  death  she  lived  thirty-sixn  years  in  widowhood.  She 
died  at  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  February  10,  1887,  aged  sixty-eight  years. 
She  went  to  meet  loved  ones  in  heaven.  Besides  her  highest  joy 
in  seeing  her  dear  Saviour  face  to  face,  what  a  blessed  reunion 
must  she  have  had  with  her  long  parted  husband.  How  much 
would  they  have  to  tell  each  other  !  "  What  knitting  of  severed 
friendships  up;  where  partings  are  no  more."  Before  her  last 
special  affliction,  she  told  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Amanda  Goheen,  one 
day  after  she  had  returned  from  India,  that  she  never  expected  to 
be  well  again;  "but,"  she  said,  "you  must  not  worry  about  me.  I 
have  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt.  My  peace  is  like  a  river."  Her 
beautiful  life  of  trust  is  her  testimony.  She  suffered  very  greatly 
without  a  murmur  the  last  few  days  of  her  life.  She  knew  she  was 
dying,  and,  a  few  hours  before  she  died,  she  looked  around  from  one 


80. 

to  the  other  grouped  about  her  bedside  and  said,  "Annie,"  missing  the^ 
dear  daughter — widow  of  the  late  Rev.  James  Johnston  Hull,  who' 
had  returned  to  India,  after  her  husband's  death. 

Rev.  James  Johnston  Hull  (Annie's  husband)  was  born  at  Sum- 
mitville,  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  March  20,  1847.  After  his- 
ordination  by  the  Presbytery  of  Steubenville,  in  1872,  he  went  as  a 
Foreign  Missionary  to  India,  and  labored  at  Kolapoor  and 
Ratnagiri,  India,  from  1872 — 1879.  He  married  at  Bombay, 
December  21,  1874,  Anna  M.  the  daughter  of  the  late  Rev.  J.  Y, 
McGrinnes.  Afterwards,  his  health  failing  him,  he  returned  to  the 
United  States  in  1879,  and  died  of  consumption  at  Suffolk,  Virginia, 
March  8,  1882,  and  was  buried  at  Canonsburg,  Pa.  Rev.  John  M. 
Smith,  the  pastor  of  Mrs.  E.  M.  McGinnes,  spoke  very  tenderly 
at  her  funeral  from  the  words, "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord 
is  the  death  of  his  saints."  Every  one  in  Canonsburg  loved  her^ 
and  her  funeral  was  a  very  large  one,  and  the  sympathy  for  her 
family  in  their  bereavement  was  very  intense.  The  following 
obituary  of  her  was  written  and  published  by  her  daughter,  L.  M. 
H.,  (Lizzie  M.  Hughes). 

"  Elizabeth  M.  McGinnes,  widow  of  the  late  Rev.  J.  Y.  McGinnes, 
entered  into  the  joy  of  her  Lord  at  Canonsburg,  Pa.,  February  10, 
1 887,  sixty-eight  years  old.  It  could  truthfully  be  said  of  her.  '  She 
has  changed  her  country,  but  not  her  companionship,  for  while  on 
earth  she  walked  with  God.'  All  that  knew  her  will  testify  to  her 
strong  faith,  her  cheerfulness  under  trials  and  discouragements,  her 
unselfishness,  her  sacrifices,  even  giving  two  daughters  to  the 
foreign  missionary  work,  rejoicing  that  the  Master  had  need  of 
them.  She  was  pre-eminently  useful  in  the  Church,  interested  in 
all  its  benevolent  work,  a  comfort  and  help  to  her  pastor.  The 
last  year  of  her  life  a  sad  cloud  obscured  her  mental  vision,  forever 
lifted  now.     "  It  came  to  pass  that  at  eventide  there  was  light." 

Praise  God,  the  Shepherd  is  so  sweet, 

Praise  God,  the  country  is  so  fair, 
We  could  not  keep  her  from  his  feet, 

But  we  will  go  to  meet  her  there." 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Lizzie)  M.  Hughes,  the  wife  of  Rev.  Jacob  V. 
Hughes,  was  a  child  of  the  covenant.  In  her  infancy  she  was 
dedicated  to  God  in  the  ordinance  of  baptism  by  her   believing 


81» 

parents,  and  then  trained  up  in  one  of  the  most  affectionate  and 
godly  famihes.  She  early  consecrated  herself  to  the  Lord,  and  was 
zealously  devoted  to  him  all  her  life.  She  received  her  education 
at  Shade  Gap  Academy,  Huntingdon  county,  Pa.,  which  her  father 
founded  and  successfully  carried  forward  until  his  death;  and  at 
Springfield,  Ohio,  under  the  care  of  Rev.  Dr.  Wilson.  She  taught 
for  some  time  in  the  Female  Seminary,  at  Academia,  Juniata  county. 
Pa,,  and  then  for  three  or  more  years  at  the  Bellefonte  Academy, 
Pa.  But  her  grand  work  was  as  a  pastor's  wife  in  the  West,  for 
the  last  ten  years  of  her  life.  I  will  here  quote  what  the  Shawano 
Advocate,  Wisconsin,  in  referring  to  the  sad  event  of  her  death, 
said  of  her  character  : 

"Shawano  people  who  were  honored  in  acquaintance  with  Mrs. 
Hughes  were  at  loss  which  most  to  admire — her  brightness  and 
eagerness  of  mind  and  rare  cultivation,  or  the  strong,  tender  beauty 
of  her  heart  and  character.  She  was  a  thorough  student  of  the 
topics  of  the  day  ;  but  it  was  her  womanliness  and  loving  Christian 
sympathy  rather  than  her  intellectuality  which,  after  all,  most 
appealed  to  those  who  knew  her.  Her  wise  councils  and  familiarity 
with  the  Bible  made  her  sought  after  by  those  in  extremity,  who 
went  to  her  as  a  place  of  refuge  ;  and  none  ever  sought  in  vain. 

To  those  of  her  own  home  she  was  a  rare  treasure  whose  worth 
it  were  impertinent  to  attempt  to  estimate.  Their  loss  in  her  death^ 
though  great,  is  exceeded  by  their  gain  in  having  lived  under  such 
an  influence.  Her  living  sweetened  life  for  all  who  knew  her,  and 
most  blessed  and  most  ennobled  those  to  whom  she  was  nearest." 

I  will  also  quote  what  was  publis  hed  of  her  in  the  Presbyterian, 
of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  June  9,  1888. 

"Entered  into  rest,  May  ii,  Elizabeth  McGinnes,  beloved  wife 
of  Rev.  J.  V.  Hughes,  of  Shawano,  Wisconsin.  From  early  youth 
a  child  of  God,  wherever  her  lot  was  cast  the  Church  of  Christ 
found  in  her  a  faithful,  consecrated  worker.  But  it  was  in  the  home 
as  wife  and  mother  that  this  sweet  life  shone  the  brightest.  There 
*  the  eyes  that  smile  no  more,  the  unreturning  feet,'  will  be  most 
sadly  missed.  From  the  beginning  of  her  brief  sickness  she  felt 
the  Master  was  calling  her  ;  and  her  last  audible  prayer  was — 
'  Hide  me  under  the  shadow  of  thy  wing,  I  shall  be  satisfied,  satisfied, 


when  I  awake  with  thy  likeness.'     Forever,  hers  is  now  the  sweet- 
ness and  rest  of  which  she  so  loved  to  sing : 

'  Jesus  the  very  thought  of  thee, 

With  sweetness  fills  my  breast  ; 
But  sweeter  far  thy  face  to  see, 

And  in  thy  presence  rest.*  " 

My  mother,  paid  the  following  tribute  to  her  in  a  letter  to  me  of 
December  21,  1874,  written  at  Unionville,  Centre  county,  Pa., 
where  in  her  seventy-eighth  year,  she  had  been  sorely  afflicted  with 
jieuralgia  in  her  whole  body  for  a  month  while  homed  with  her 
son  Jacob,  so  that  it  was  with  difficulty  she  could  move  in  bed — 
said  she  :  "  Dear  Lizzie  was  so  very  kind,  and  nursed  me  faithfully. 
I  desire  to  be  very  thankful  for  her  kindness."  She  was  familiarly 
called  "  Lizzie,"  and  signed  her  name,  "  L.  M.  H."  When  the 
news  of  her  death  reached  India,  her  sister  there  wrote  the 
following  piece  of  poetry,  dated  Kolhapur,  India,  June  24,  1888, 
which,  was  afterwards  published  in  the  Shawano  county  Journal^ 
Wisconsin,  May  2,  1889. 

IN  MEMORIAM— L.  M.  H. 

Sweet  Sister,  whose  dear  head  now  lieth  low, 
Beneath  a  northern  sky,  so  cold  and  gray, 
I,  far  across  the  seas,  in  summer  lands, 
Stretch  out  my  arms  to  thee,  and  mourn  and  weep 
That  thou  art  gone — and  I,  no  more  on  earth 
Shall  look  in  thy  dear  face,  nor  clasp 
Thy  welcoming  hand. 

"  Until  the  Heavens  be  no  more" — oh  awful  fiat ! 

"They  arise  not,  nor  awake." 

But  is  there  not  another  word — a  word  of  Hope  ? 

"  Until  day  dawn,  and  Star  of  Day  arise  ?" 

Come  speedily,  O  day  of  God,  and  right  the  wrong. 

And  bring  us  back  our  lost — our  eyes  do  fail 

With  looking  upward. 

O  Saviour  Christ,  bearing  our  griefs,  our  sorrows 
Carrying — help  us  a  little  while  to  hold  thy  hand 
Even  in  darkness.     Till  at  lengtli  for  us  there  shines 
The  light  of  Home.     Our  Father's  House, 
Where  face  shall  answer  once  again  to  face. 
And  hands  clasp  hands,  now  folded 
Close  and  still. 

I  present  also  the  following  resolutions  to  show  the  estimation 
in  which  she  was  held  by  her  fellow  Christian  workers. 


83, 

Shawano,  May  15th,  1888. 

At  a  called  meeting  of  the  executive  committee  of  W.  C.  T.  U., 
the  following  resolutions  were  adopted  : 

Whereas,  We  have  been  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  our 
late  President  and  Corresponding  Secretary,  Mrs.  Hughes, 

Resolved,  That  while  we  acknowledge  the  power  and  wisdom 
of  Him,  who  doeth  all  things  well,  we  desire  to  express  our  heartfelt 
appreciation  of  her  pure  Christian  character,  her  wise  counsel  and 
prompt  response  to  duty,  and  we  pray  that  the  influences  of  her 
lovely  ard  gentle  life  may  abide  with  us. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  sympathy  to  the  devoted  husband 
and  family  of  the  deceased,  who  now  deplore  the  loss  of  a  lovmg 
wife  and  mother,  and  pray  that  the  God  of  the  afflicted  may  grant 
them  fortitude  in  this  their  time  of  sorrow. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  addressed  to  the 
family  and  friends  of  the  deceased,  also  published  in  our  city  papers 
and  placed  upon  our  society  records. 

And  lastly,  I  record,  because  the  influence  of  such  a  consecrated 
and  useful  life  should  never  be  lost,  the  following,  in  memory  of 
Mrs.  J.  V.  Hughes,  read  at  the  memorial  service  of  the  Sabbath 
School,  May  20,  1888,  and  published  in  the  Shawano  Journal, 
Wisconsin,  July  12,  1888: — 

"  When  a  fragrant  flower  that  has  delighted  us  with  its  perfume 
has  been  removed,  how  long  its  aroma  will  remain  to  delight  the 
senses  with  its  delicious  odors ;  or  when  sweet  strains  of  delicious 
music  fall  upon  the  ear,  how  often  they  make  an  impression  deeper 
than  the  pleasure  at  first  given,  so  that  a  song  once  sung,  or  notes 
once  heard,  may  strike  upon  the  mind  and  heart  so  strongly,  that 
long  afterwards,  little  by  little,  the  measure  comes  back  to  us,  time 
after  time,  and  if  we  cultivate  their  memory,  the  full  and  complete 
melody  may  be  wrought  out  to  us,  to  gladden  our  hearts  with  its 
sweetness.  It  is  told  us  by  astronomers,  that  if  some  of  the  fixed 
stars  were  blotted  out  or  destroyed,  their  light  would  continue  to 
shine  upon  us  for  months  or  possibly  for  years  afterwards. 

So  it  is  that  a  human  life  may  be  so  full  of  beauty,  of  sunshine, 
of  helpfulness  and  cheerfulness,  that  the  impression  made  by  it  will 
remain  far  stronger  than  the  fragrance  of  the  flower,  the  sweetness 
of  music,  or  the  brightness  of  the  stars,  for  though  '  Heaven  and 
earth  may  pass  away,'  good  words,  acts  of  kindness,  and  the  silent 
influence  of  a  pure_life,  live  forever. 


«4. 

If  you  throw  a  pebble  into  the  water,  you  see  a  circle  formed  at 
the  spot  where  it  fell,  and  another  larger  than  the  first  until  they 
are  lost  to  sight,  but  still  the  impulse  goes  on  and  on  until  it  is  lost 
in  the  boundary  of  the  lake.  So  our  words  make  waves  invisible 
in  the  air,  and  the  undulations  go  on  and  on,  philosophers  tell  us. 
forever  ;  and  if  they  are  words  of  kindness  and  love,  who  can 
determine  the  limit  of  their  influence  for  good  ? 

The  only  aim  of  the  departed  was  to  do  good  to  those  around 
Tier,  and  to  make  her  life  a  living  epistle  that  might  be  known  and 
read  by  all  who  knew  her.  It  was  not  to  be  praised  by  those  who 
were  about  her,  but  to  imitate  the  example  and  obey  the  teaching 
of  the  Master  in  doing  good  unto  all  as  she  had  opportunity,  and 
whose  devotion  to  duty  was  best  known  to  those  who  were  intimate 
with  her  and  knew  her  best. 

From  personal  observation,  I  never  knew  one  who  seemed  more 
zealous  than  she  to  fully  make  the  "  Golden  Rule"  the  guide  of  her 
life.  At  all  times  ready  to  sacrifice  her  own  comfort  for  the  good 
of  others,  if  she  could  thereby  cause  one  ray  of  sunshine  to  gladden 
a  human  heart.  Verily  in  her  life  *  she  did  what  she  could,'  and 
that  is  the  highest  encomium  that  can  be  pronounced  upon  any  life. 

Did  she  learn  of  the  illness  of  one  known  or  unknown  to  her, 
whom  she  thought  she  could  cheer  by  a  kind  word  or  act,  she  was 
ever  ready  to  respond  to  any  call  that  was  made  upon  her.  Could 
she  by  a  kind  word  cheer  the  heart  of  those  who  were  cast  down, 
or  filled  with  sorrow,  her  ear  was  ever  open  to  listen  and  her  lips 
to  respond  with  comfort,  hope  and  cheer.  Was  there  a  season  of 
festivity,  none  were  more  ready  than  she  to  add  the  sunshine  of 
her  presence  and  the  joyousness  of  her  words.  Her's  was  eminentl} 
a  cheerful,  hopeful  life, — quiet,  unobtrusive,  with  the  most  sensitive 
appreciation  of  the  love  of  her  friends,  and  utterly  devoid  of  anything 
unreal.  In  the  Sunday  School,  or  in  any  call  to  consider  its  interests^ 
she  was  always  present,  and  her  words  of  counsel  were  always  prized. 

In  the  social  and  prayer  meetings  of  the  church  and  in  all  her 
social  relations  in  life,  her  example  was  an  inspiration  to  all  who 
knew  her.  In  all  Christian  works  of  benevolence  her  voice  and 
service  were  ever  ready  to  obey  the  call  of  duty,  and  whenever  she 
could  do  good  she  was  ready  to  act.  In  her  last  days  of  pain  and 
bodily  suffering,  when  to  use   her   own  words,  she   felt  that  life's 


'85. 

journey  was  near  its  end,  her  cheerfulness,  patience,  forgetfulness 
of  self  in  her  anxiety  for  others,  her  trust,  her  faith,  none  can 
appreciate  except  those  whose  sad  privilege  it  was  to  be  with  her. 

Of  her  life  in  her  own  household  I  will  not  speak,  for  those  alone 
can  understand  her — for  whom  she  lived. 

Of  her  it  can  truly  be  said — 

"  She  stretched  out  her  hand  to  the  poor; 
She  reached  forth  her  hands  to  the  needy ; 
She  opened  her  mouth  with  wisdom  ; 
And  in  her  tongue  was  the  law  of  kindness. 
Her  children  shall  rise  up  and  call  her  blessed ; 
And  her  works  shall  praise  her  in  the  gates. 

The  inspiration  of  her  life  seemed  to  be  in  these  beautiful  lines 
of  Miss  Havergal's,  which  she  often  quoted: 

"  Take  my  life  and  let  it  be 
Consecrated,  Lord,  to  Thee  ; 
Take  my  hands  and  let  them  move 
At  the  impulse  of  Thy  love. 
Take  my  lips  and  let  them  be 
Filled  with  messages  for  Thee ; 
Take  my  intellect  and  use 
Every  power  as  Thou  shalt  choose  ; 
Take  my  will  and  make  it  Thine — 
It  shall  be  no  longer  mine." 

Who  can  estimate  the  influence  of  a  life  so  rounded  out  and  full 
of  all  that  goes  to  make  a  character  like  hers,  and  who  can  say 
when  its  remoter  impressions  will  cease  ? 

May  its  purity,  its  harmony,  its  melody,  light  and  fragrance, 
make  our  lives  richer  and  more  noble,  and  may  the  memory  of  her 
devotion  to  duty  stimulate  us  to  act  well  our  parts  wherever  our 
lots  may  be  cast." 

The  children  of  Rev.  Jacob  V.  and  Lizzie  M.  Hughes,  were  four, 
three  living  and  one  dead. 

Elizabeth  McGinnes  Hughes  was  born  at  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  November 
II,  1 87 1,  and  died  and  was  buried  there  at  the  age  of  nine  months. 

Mary  Fletcher  Hughes  was  born  at  Unionville,  Pa.,  February 
22,  1874. 

Harold  Dalrymple  Hughes  was  born  at  Unionville,  Pa.,  May  16, 
1876. 

Alice  McGinnes  Hughes  was  born  at  Unionville,  Pa.,  July  4, 1877. 


8S.. 

The  total  number  of  James  R.  and  Eliza  E.  Hughes'  children,, 
grand-children,  and  great-grand-children — including  those  of  Ann 
L.  Foster — ^were  153,  of  whom  107  are  now  living,  making  with: 
the  Lawrences'  and  Eldredges'  a  total  of  245.  The  most  of  those 
who  have  arrived  at  the  age  of  maturity,  are  the  professed  followers. 
of  Christ,  and  are  useful,  happy  and  blessed  in  their  several  house- 
holds and  varied  trades  and  professions. 

The  Hughes',  Eldredge's  and  Edmonds'  were  related.  In  the 
line  of  cousins  I  will  speak  of  Rev.  James  M.  Edmonds,  who  was  a 
Cape  May  boy,  and  who  grew  up  to  be  one  of  its  most  honored 
Christian  Ministers  and  Teachers.  He  was  the  son  of  James  and 
Harriet  Howe  (Whittemore)  Edmonds.  His  father  was  born  at 
Cape  May,  N.  J.,  September  9,  1800,  and  died  September  27,  1833, 
aged  thirty-three  years  and  eighteen  days — when  James  M.  was 
only  six  years  and  four  months  old.  His  mother  was  born  in 
Connecticut,  in  1798,  and  died  at  Cold  Spring,  Cape  May,  N.  J., 
September  12,  1844,  aged  forty-six  years.  She  was  the  daughter 
of  Samuel  Whittemore  and  Sarah  Wales  Whittemore,  of  Mansfield, 
Connecticut,  and  a  niece  of  Dr.  Roger  Wales,  of  Cape  May,  N.  J. 
In  1822,  she  went  with  an  invalid  cousin,  Mrs.  Williams,  from 
Bolton,  Connecticut,  to  Cape  May,  to  spend  a  few  months  by  the 
seashore,  under  the  care  of  their  uncle,  for  the  improvement  of 
health,  and  on  January  28,  1823,  she  married  James  Edmonds,  of 
Cold  Spring,  Cape  May,  N.  J.     They  had  three  children,  viz: 

ist.  William  W.,  who  was  born  May  2,  1825,  and  died  of  cholera 
on  a  business  trip  from  Philadelphia  to  St.  Paul,  leaving  a  wife  and 
daughter  residing  in  Philadelphia. 

2d.  James  M.,  who  was  born  June  i,  1S27,  became  a  prominent 
minister  of  the  gospel,  married  a  sister  of  Rev.  W.  R.  Work,  and 
died  five  days  after.     His  widow  has  since  died. 

3d.  Emily  J,,  who  was  born  December  30,  1830,  married  Rev. 
William  R.  Work,  Principal  of  the  Female  Seminary  at  Pottstown, 
Pa.,  and  had  two  children.  She  died,  and  her  children  also,  several 
years  ago.  Mrs.  Harriet  H.  Edmonds,  widow  of  James  Edmonds,. 
married  second.  Judge  Eli  B.  Wales,  September  10,  1839,  and  had 
one  son,  George  Hunter  Wales.  He  was  born  1841,  and  died 
March  3,  1870,  aged  twenty  nine  years. 


-87. 

I  was  only  a  boy  when  James  M?s  father  died,  but  I  remember 
liim  as  a  steady,  dih'gent  and  excellent  man  ;  while  I  remember  his 
mother  well,  as  a  very  estimable  Christian  lady,  a  member  of  the 
•Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  intelligent,  kind,  refined,  and 
beloved  by  everybody. 

James  M.  was  educated,  talented,  consecrated  and  beloved  ;  but 
he  was  one  of  death's  early  victims.  Pie  was  suddenly  cut  down 
in  the  very  midst.of  his  enlarged  and  successful  plans  of  usefulness. 
He  died  at  Absecon,  New  Jersey,  March  23,  1858,  aged  thirty 
years,  nine  months  and  twenty  two  days.  When  thirteen  years  of 
age  he  united  with  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  his 
heart  turned  at  once  towards  the  ministry.  He  received  his  early 
education  at  the  Cold  Spring  Academy,  then  went  to  the  Tuscarora 
Academy,  Pa.,  and  afterwards  entered  the  Freshman  Class  at 
Jefferson  College,  Pa.,  where  he  graduated  in  1849.  Through  his 
entire  course  he  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  and  most 
promising  students.  Rev.  Robert  F.  Sample,  D.D.,  in  his  sketch 
of  him  in  the  College  Annual  of  1889  says,  "No  member  of  the 
class  of  '49  was  more  admired  and  beloved  than  the  young  man 
who  came  from  the  extreme  southern  part  of  New  Jersey.  Of 
medium  height,  well  rounded,  vigorous,  with  a  large  head,  pleasant 
face  and  cordial  manner,  he  soon  became  popular,  and  retained  the 
esteem  of  his  fellow  students." 

When  my  wife  and  I  were  on  a  visit,  August,  1848,  to  David 
Hughes,  M.  D.,  my  old  classmate  and  room-mate  at  Jefferson 
College,  in  Hickory,  ten  miles  West  of  Canonsburg,  my  wife,  who 
kept  a  diary  of  our  journey,  has  the  following  record:  "  Aug.  29. 
We  left  Canonsburg  after  dinner  and  went  to  Dr.  Hughes'  again, 
intending  to  stay  there  until  the  next  morning  and  then  go  five 
miles  to  see  James  M.  Edmonds,  who  is  teaching  school  there 
during  his  college  vacation  ;  but  on  our  arrival  the  Doctor  informed 
us  he  had  taken  a  horse  to  James,  and  he  would  be  down  to  stay 
all  night.  He  came  about  six  o'clock  this  evening,  and  was  so 
overjoyed  (I  suppose)  at  hearing  there  was  some  one  from  Cape  May 
that  he  did  not  understand  who  he  was  to  see — though  the  Doctor 
told  him — until  he  came.  We  spent  the  evening  talking  over  old 
times  at  Cape  May.  Aug.  30. — James  left  early  this  mornino-. 
Mr.  Scott,  who  works  the  Doctor's  farm,  took  him  a  part  of   the  way. 


James  seems  very  industrious  and  persevering.  Rev.  Dr.  Brown,. 
(President  of  Jefferson  College)  told  us  that  he  is  a  young  man  of 
fine  talents  and  very  correct  habits,  and  will  distinguish  himself. 
We  have  heard  from  several  that  he  stands  high  at  College.  I  felt 
very  sorry  for  James.  He  said  he  scarcely  ever  heard  from  Cape 
May,  except  what  he  heard  through  Rev.  Mr.  Williamson,  and  that 
was  only  twice  a  year,  I  told  him  all  the  news  I  could  think  of, 
for  he  said  he  had  had  none  since  May."  The  following  paper 
taken  from  the  Presbyterian,  and  which  was  adopted  by  ^the- 
Presbytery  of  West  Jersey  at  Woodbury,  New  Jersey,  April  8, 
1858,  contains  a  fuller,  although  brief  sketch,  of  his  life,  after  he 
left  College,  until  his  lamented  death. 

"  Only  one  year  ago  this  Presbytery  was  called  upon  to  record 
the  death  of  one  of  its  older  members,  the  pastor  of  the  church 
with  whom  we  are  assembled  ;  now  we  mourn  the  removal  of  one 
of  the  youngest  of  our  brethren,  the  Rev.  James  M.  Edmonds. 
Perhaps  the  Presbytery  has  never  lost  a  member  whose  death 
seemed  more  mysterious  and  unexpected,  or  more  generally  and 
deeply  deplored. 

Mr.  Edmonds  was  born  June  ist,  1827,  at  Cold  Spring,  Cape 
May  county,  New  Jersey,  where  he  received  his  early  education, 
and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years  made  a  public  profession  of  his 
faith.  Immediately  he  was  solicitious  to  study  for  the  ministry,  and 
soon  entered  Tuscarora  Academy ;  indue  time  he  graduated  at 
Jefferson  College,  and  then  taught  in  a  classical  academy  at  Fagg's 
Manor,  Pa.,  until  he  entered  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton. 
Upon  the  failure  of  his  eyesight  he  left  the  Seminary,  and,  accepting 
a  commission  from  the  American  Sunday  Union  for  a  year,  organized 
a  large  number  of  Sabbath  Schools  in  Tennessee.  Returning  to 
the  Seminary,  his  eyes  again  failed,  but  by  means  of  the  lectures, 
and  by  the  aid  sometimes  of  a  kind  fellow-student,  and  sometimes 
of  an  affectionate  sister  reading  aloud  to  him,  he  acquired  such  a 
store  of  theological  knowledge  as  to  pass  a  superior  examination 
on  all  the  subjects  preparatory  to  licensure. 

He  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  by  this  Presbytery,  in  April, 
1855,  ^^^^  eighteen  months  afterwards  was  ordained  as  Evangelist, 
to  continue  his  labors  at  Leed's  Point,  Absccon,  Batsto,  and  other 
places  in  Atlantic  county.     He  was  married  at  Frankford,  Pa.,  on 


March  i8,  1858,  to  Miss  Isabella  B.  Work,  and  five  days  afterward 
his  eyes  were  closed  in  death. 

This  sore  bereavement,  so  unexpected  and  so  mysterious,  calls 
upon  us  to  be  still,  and  know  that  the  Lord  reigneth.  Verily,  O 
Lord,  thou  art  a  God  that  hidest  thyself!  Clouds  and  darkness  are 
round  about  thee,  yet  justice  and  judgment  are  the  habitation  of 
thy  throne,  That  he  who  doeth  all  things  well,  will  render  it 
subservient  to  his  own  glory,  we  know.  That  he  will  make  it 
conducive  to  the  interests  of  the  mission  field,  left  vacant  by  this 
bereavement,  we  will  pray  and  hope.  Our  brother  was  exceedingly 
conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  every  duty,  and  exact  even  in  that 
which  is  least ;  most  diligent  in  business,  and  fervent  in  spirit  ; 
amiable,  modest  and  cheerful ;  a  ripe  scholar — a  devoted  Christian. 
As  a  preacher,  he  was  clear  and  logical ;  grasping  his  subject  with 
powerful  analysis,  he  opened  to  his  hearers  the  first  principles  of 
truth,  rich  in  thought,  full  of  the  gospel,  and  love  to  souls.  Few 
persons  could  secure  such  an  influence  for  good  over  the  minds  of 
children  and  youth.  The  large  number  of  people  who  attended 
his  funeral,  and  the  deep  feeling  that  pervaded  the  assembly,  the 
tearful  eyes  of  old  and  young  during  the  discourse  delivered  on 
that  occasion,  manifested  how  deeply  they  felt  their  loss. 

Whilst  we  mourn  with  a  church  deprived  of  a  beloved  minister, 
and  with  the  lambs  of  the  flock  who  have  lost  a  faithful  under 
shepherd,  we  tender  our  sincere  sympathies  to  his  only  sister,  the 
last  survivor  of  his  earlier  domestic  circle,  and  especially  to  the 
widowed  bride,  wh.->se  joy  was  so  soon  turned  into  mourning,  and 
whose  cherished  plans  of  usefulness  and  happiness  were  so  suddenly 
blighted.  Sensible  of  the  insufficiency  of  all  human  support,  we 
commend  her  to  the  "  God  that  comforteth  those  that  are  cast 
down,"  to  the  Saviour,  who  can  sympathize  with  us  in  all  our 
infirmities,  praying  that  some  rays  from  the  light  of  His  countenance 
may  penetrate  and  illumine  the  dark  and  mysterious  cloud  which 
now  overwhelms  her  spirit. 

Resolved,  That  as  it  is  proposed  to  erect  a  monument  to  the 
memory  of  Mr.  Edmonds  by  the  voluntary  offerings  of  his  friends, 
therefore  the  Revs.  Moses  Williamson,  Samuel  Beach  Jones,  D.D., 
and  Allen  H.  Brown,  be  a  committee  of  Presbytery,  to  receive 
contributions  for  this  purpose. 


.90. 

Resolved,  That  a  copy  of  the  above  minute  be  sent  to  the 
Presbyterian,  and  to  the  sister  and  widow  of  the  deceased." 

The  monument  above  referred  to  was  erected  to  Rev,  James  M. 
Edmonds,  by  a  bereaved  congregation  and  many  friends  at  Leeds 
Point,  Atlantic  count}%  N.  J.  Omitting  dates  already  recorded, 
we  read  of  him  on  this  monument  the  following — "  xA-S  a  friend, 
modest,  cheerful,  afiectionate  ;  as  a  Christian,  humble,  conscientious, 
zealous ;  as  a  preacher,  evangelical,  instructive,  persuasive.  Beloved 
and  mourned  of  all,  but  most  of  all  by  the  children  of  his  Sabbath 
school  and  academy.  '  Therefore  watch  and  remember,  that  b}' 
the  space  of  three  years,  I  ceased  not  to  warn  every  one  night  and 
day  with  tears.'  Acts  2o:  31."  Also  a  tablet  was  inserted  by  his 
pupils  in  the  wall  of  the  school  house  at  Absecon,  bearing  these 
words :  "  Dedicated  to  Rev.  James  M.  Edmonds,  the  founder  of 
this  institution,  beloved  while  living,  mourned  when  dead,  his 
memory  is  cherished  by  his  pupils.  Born  at  Cold  Spring,  N.  J., 
lane  i,  1827.  Died  at  Absecon,  March  23,  1858.  'Be  ye  followers 
of  me  as  I  also  am  of  Christ.'    i  Cor.  11 :  i." 


o 


93. 


OLD  BRICK  CHURCH. 

Before  proceeding  farther  with  our  family  history,  it  may  be  well 
to  introduce  here  a  picture  ol  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church, 
with  which  the  most  of  my  ancestors  and  relatives  were  connected, 
and  of  the  beautiful  cemetery  that  surrounds  it,  in  w^iich  the  most 
of  those  who  are  gone  are  buried.  They  let  their  light  shine  all 
around  them,  and  served  God  their  Saviour  well  while  they  lived ; 
now,  there  they  sweetly  sleep  in  Jesus,  hopefully  awaiting  the 
glorious  resurrection  morning,  while  their  spirits  are  rejoicing  with 
all  the  ransomed  of  the  Lord,  around  His  throne  in  heaven. 

It  may  be  well,  too,  to  give  here  a  brief  sketch  of  the  character 
and  history  of  this  church  for  those  interested  in  it.  Oh,  how 
many  precious  souls  have  been  saved  and  trained  up  for  usefulness 
here,  and  glory  hereafter,  by  this  old  Presbyterian  Church  from  its 
beginning  until  now.  How  grand  its  work  !  How  glorious  its 
reward  !  And  how  many  gems  to  help  brighten  the  Saviour's 
crown  !  Surely  the  past  should  stimulate  those  of  us  who  remain, 
to  still  grander  work  for  the  Master,  to  still  more  self-denials,  and 
to  still  higher  consecration  even  to  the  last.  Faithful  unto  death, 
we  ourselves  also  shall  receive  a  crown  of  life,  while  our  works  will 
not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  We  shall  rest  from  them,  but  they 
will  still  follow  us. 

The  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  has  been  a  church  of 
religious  revivals,  a  church  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High. 
These  have  been  the  source  of  her  spiritual  growth  and  power. 
God  has  often  proved  to  her  that  He  hears  and  answers  prayer, 
and  that  He  is  a  covenant-keeping  God.  He  has  often  poured  out 
His  Holy  Spirit  upon  her,  and  granted  her  times  of  refreshing  from 
His  presence  and  from  the  glory  of  His  power,  and  she  has  thus 
often  been  wafted  onward  and  upward  in  her  earnest  endeavors  to 
be  Christlike,  and  to  build  up  His  kingdom  in  the  salvation  of 
precious  souls.  These  revivals  spring  from  the  breath  of  God,  or 
from  the  live  coals  off  His  holy  altar.  The  apostle  Paul  said,  "  I 
have  planted,  Apollos  watered  ;  but  God  gave  the  increase."  The 
prophet  Zechariah  wrote,  "  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by 
my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."      From  brief  flashes  of  the 


m. 

past  history  of  this  church  we  learn  that  among  other  precious 
seasons  of  grace,  in  the  years  1740 — 1743,  under  the  labors  of 
Messrs.  Finley  and  Robinson,  God  thus  remembered  her  in  His 
rich  mercy.  In  the  year  1780 — 1781,  under  Mr.  Watt,  another 
large  ingathering  of  souls  to  the  church  was  enjoyed  from  the 
Holy  Spirit's  special  presence  and  power.  Also  in  the  years  1833, 
1840,  1841  and  1856,  during  the  long  pastorate  of  Mr.  Williamson, 
there  were  might)  outpourings  of  the  Spirit  that  shook  the  whole 
church  and  community.  I  remember  that  at  one  time  especially 
when  the  church  seemed  asleep  and  dead,  and  the  old  elders  were 
passing  away,  the  great  anxiety  and  inquiry  among  the  true  people 
of  God  were,  what  shall  we  do  ?  The  elders  will  all  soon  be  gone, 
and  we  have  none  to  take  their  places,  and  the  church  is  likely  to 
die  out.  This  anxiety  led  to  a  sense  of  their  dependence  on  God 
and  to  increased  prayer  for  his  presence  aiid  help.  Soon  God  came 
down  in  mighty  power  in  the  rich  outpourings  of  His  Holy  Spirit, 
and  the  two  remarkable  revivals  of  1840  and  1841  occurred.  The 
happy  results  of  which  were  that  122  or  more  were  savingly  added 
to  the  church.  Then  there  was  plenty  new  material  for  elders, 
out  ol  which  were  elected  the  Reeves'  brothers,  and  others — a 
splendid  and  efficient  addition  to  the  old  session.  And  such  elders 
have  been  continued  until  now,  so  easy  is  it  for  God  always  to 
work  in  answer  to  prayer  for  the  good  of  his  church  and  people. 
And  then  during  the  winter  of  1886 — 87,  under  its  last  pastor,  the 
Rev.  J.  L.  Landis,  the  church  experienced  another  gracious  revival, 
as  I  witnessed,  when  present  there,  on  March  27th,  1887.  We 
should  praise  the  Lord,  then,  for  the  past,  and  trust  Him  for  the 
future,  upon  which  we  should  enter  with  renewed  consecration, 
prayer,  zeal  and  hope. 

But  while  the  Cold  Spring  Church  was  prospered  by  her  various 
and  extensive  revivals  of  religion  in  her  increased  numbers  and 
enlarged  spiritual  gifts  and  graces,  she  was  also  blessed  in  her 
material  prosperity  ;  in  her  increased  buildings,  and  in  her  enlarged 
improvements. 

The  first  church  is  said  to  have  been  a  small  log  building,  which 
stood  near  the  road  and  rather  to  the  right  of  the  present  one, 
which  must  have  been  built  very  early.  The  Rev.  Abijah  Davis, 
writing  after    1791,  says  it   was   built  about    17 18.     It  was  called 


94 

"  The  meeting  house,"  and  we  read  elsewhere  of  its  being  in  use  so 
early  as  May  19th,  1724. 

The  second  church  was  a  frame  or  shingle  building,  larger  than 
the  first,  that  I  well  remember  seeing,  which  stood  near  the  road 
and  beside  some  very  large  trees  near  the  gates  of  the  old  grave 
yard.  It  was  also  built  quite  early,  about  forty  years  after  the  first 
one,  and  was  also  called  ■'  The  meeting  house."  It  was  built  during 
the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Daniel  Lawrence.  Rev.  Mr.  Webster  in  his 
history  says,  it  was  built  in  the  year  1762,  and  that  the  frame  of  it 
remained  in  use  till  1824.  But  it  was  built  earlier  than  this,  for  we 
read  in  Aaron  Leaming's  published  manuscript  that  as  early  as 
March  26,  1761,  forty  people  met  at  this  Presbyterian  meeting 
house  to  learn  whether  Jacob  Spicer  purchased  the  society  rever- 
sions at  Cape  May  for  himself,  or  for  the  people. 

The  third  church,  or  the  present  beautiful  structure,  is  called 
"  The  brick  church."  It  was  erected  in  1823.  It  was  mainly  planned 
and  pushed  forward  by  the  far-sighted,  liberal  and  energetic  Hon. 
Thomas  H.  Hughes  to  successful  completion.  Dr.  Samuel  S. 
Marcy  and  Judge  Eli  B.  Wales,  with  others,  also  rendered  especially 
active  and  efficient  service  in  its  construction.  When  opposed  by 
some  for  planning  so  spacious  a  building,  Mr.  Hughes  persevered, 
saying,  "  My  head  will  not  be  laid  in  the  grave  before  this  church 
is  full."     And  he  lived  to  see  his  hopes  and  prophecy  fulfilled. 

This  third  and  brick  church  was  about  a  quarter  of  a  century 
afterwards  nicely  and  expensively  remodeled  as  to  its  pulpit,  pews, 
windows  and  general  appearance,  for  the  accomplishment  of  which 
Dr.  V.  M.  D.  Marcy,  Rev.  Mr.  Williamson,  David  Reeves  and 
others  were  efficient  workers.  Then  again  some  few  years  ago  it 
was  elegantly  frescoed  and  recarpeted  and  otherwise  improved.  It 
is  in  all  respects  as  well  said,  "  a  beautifully  fitted  up  building  and 
an  honor  to  the  community  as  well  as  to  the  denomination  to  which 
it  is  attached." 


95. 


REV.  DANIEL  L.  HUGHES,  D.  D. 

[The  following  extended  sketch,  written  by  my  beloved  classmate 
and  college  companion — the  Rev.  Hugh  A.  Brown,  D.  D.,  of  Giff 
Gaff,  Charlotte  county,  Virginia — is  transferred  to  these  pages 
from  the  Annual  of  Washington  and  Jefferson  College,  Pa.,  for  1890.] 

"  Daniel  Lawrence  Hughes,  son  of  James  Rainy  and  Eliza 
(Eldredge)  Hughes  and  grandson  of  Rev.  Daniel  Lawrence,  one  of 
the  early  pastors  of  the  Cold  Spring,  Cape  May,  Church,  was  born 
at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  on  January  8,  1 820.  He  was  the  third  of  twelve 
children — six  sons  and  six  daughters — of  whom  two  other  sons 
became  Presbyterian  ministers,  and  three  of  the  daughters  wives  of 
Presbyterian  ministers  ;  another  son  became  a  Ruling  Elder,  and 
all  the  children  professing  Christians.  Their  father  was  a  teacher^ 
a  Ruling  Elder  in  the  Cold  Spring  Church,  and  the  organizer,  and 
for  nearly  half  a  century  the  superintendent,  of  its  Sunday  School. 
Daniel  in  early  boyhood  expressed  his  wish  to  become  a  minister, 
and  in  his  fourteenth  year  was  received  into  the  full  communion  of 
the  church.  He  received  his  primary  education  in  his  father's 
school ;  then  for  two  years  he  was  under  the  tuition  of  his  pastor, 
Rev.  Moses  Williamson,  beginning  the  study  of  Latin  and  Greek. 
In  the  fall  of  1835,  in  ^i^  sixteenth  year,  he  entered  the  preparatory 
department  of  Jefferson  College.  He  was  endowed  with  a  vigorous 
constitution  and  a  sanguine  temperament,  and  had  an  intense  and 
unwearied  application  to  whatever  he  undertook.  He  was  also 
regular  and  systematic  throughout  his  college  course,  and  in  after 
life  doing  his  work  between  the  hours  of  five  a.  m.  and  ten  p.  m.  His 
mottoes  were  "  Nil  desperandum  ;"  "  Perseverantia  vincit  omnia." 
In  college  he  was  a  diligent  student  and  sustained  the  character  of 
a  sincere  and  earnest  Christian,  according  to  that  saying  of  Martin 
Luther,  "  Bene  orasse,  est  bene  studuisse."  He  was  an  influential 
member  of  the  Franklin  Literary  Society,  with  reference  to  which 
his  classmate  and  fellow-member,  Robert  Patterson,  once  wrote  to 
him — Cujus  pars  magna  fuisti.  Upon  his  graduation,  in  the  Fall 
of  1840,  Mr.  Hughes  entered  Princeton  Theological  Seminary, 
taking  a  full  three  years'  course,  at  the  close  of  which,  in  May,  1843 
{having  been  licensed  in  April  by  the  West  Jersey  Presbytery), 
three    fields  of  labor  were  open   to    him,  one  of  which  was  the 


Cohocksink  Church,  Philadelphia,  to  which  he  was  recommended 
by  Dr.  Alexander.  He  accepted  the  call  to  Little  Valley  Church, 
within  the  presbytery  of  Huntingdon,  Pa.,  and  began  his  work  there 
early  in  June.  On  the  19th  of  October  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Elmira  W.  Hughes,  youngest  daughter  of  Captain  Humphrey 
Hughes,  of  Cape  Island,  N.  J.  In  January,  1844,  he  was  ordained 
and  installed  as  pastor  of  Little  Valley  Church.  Here  he  labored 
successfully  for  five  years,  two  of  which  he  lived  in  Lewistown, 
and  had  charge  of  the  academy  in  that  place.  In  1848,  Mr.  Hughes 
accepted  a  call  to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Spruce  Creek 
for  the  half  of  his  time,  the  remainder  being  given  to  Pme  Grove 
Mills  and  Colerain  Forges,  and  for  nearly  ten  years  he  joyfully 
labored  in  this  field.  At  the  spring  meeting  of  presbytery  in  1853, 
calls  for  his  services  were  presented  from  the  First  Church  of 
Altoona  for  two-thirds  of  his  time,  from  Pine  Grove  Mills  for  half 
his  time,  and  from  Sinking  Valley  for  one-half.  He  accepted  that 
from  Sinking  Valley,  continuing  his  connection  with  Spruce  Creek, 
giving  also  an  afternoon  service  once  a  month  at  Tyrone,  helping 
towards  the  organization  of  the  church  there  that  in  after  years 
became  a  prosperous  congregation. 

In  the  Spring  of  1857,  Mr.  Hughes  visited  what  was  th-^n  the 
"  Far  West,"  the  western  parts  of  Iowa  and  eastern  part  of  Nebraska, 
and  "  his  heart  was  greatly  moved"  in  view  of  the  religious  destitu- 
tion there.  It  had  been  his  wish  (providentially  disappointed)  to 
go  as  a  missionary  to  China  along  with  his  friends,  Walter  M. 
Lowrie,  John  Lloyd,  A.  P.  Happer,  Hugh  A.  Brown  and  others. 
The  missionary  spirit  still  stirred  within  him,  and  now,  in  view  of 
the  wants  of  the  home  field,  he  seemed  to  hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord 
saying,  "  Whom  shall  I  send  ?  And  who  will  go  for  us  ?"  And  he 
replied,  "  Here  am  I ;  send  me,"  but  praying, ''  Except  Thy  presence 
go  with  me,  carry  me  not  up  hence."  In  October,  1857,  he  resigned 
his  beloved  and  loving  Spruce  Creek  and  Sinking  Valley  congre- 
gations, gave  up  a  beautiful  parsonage  home,  and  with  a  large 
family  and  his  household  goods  made  his  way  via.  St.  Louis  and 
up  the  Missouri  river,  a  journey  of  two  thousand  miles,  with  many 
inconveniences  and  at  a  cost  to  himself  of  ^750,  to  his  new  field  of 
labor.  Having  located  at  Pacific  City,  Mills  county,  Iowa,  near 
the  Missouri  river,  he  immediately  began  the  work  of  organizing 


97. 

and  supplying  churches  and  stations  in  the  three  counties  of  Mills 
and  Fremont,  in  Iowa,  and  of  Cass,  in  the  then  Territory  of 
Nebraska,  and  occasionally  in  other  counties,  all  in  Council  Bluffs 
Presbytery.  Here  he  labored  with  encouraging  success,  amidst 
many  hardships,  for  nearly  seven  years.  To  fill  his  appointments 
in  Nebraska  he  frequently  crossed  the  Missouri  river  on  the  yield- 
ing, cracking  ice,  feeling  his  way  with  a  pole.  During  this  period 
Mr.  Hughes  received  invitations  to  preach,  as  a  candidate  for 
settlement,  from  eight  different  churches — four  in  the  East  and  four 
in  the  West.  He  at  length  accepted  a  call  to  labor  in  the  two 
counties  of  Polk  and  Warren,  Iowa,  represeuted  by  Des  Moines 
and  Indianola.  In  1864  he  removed  to  Des  Moines  and  took 
charge  of  the  First  Church  there  and  of  the  church  at  Indianola 
and  of  the  regions  round  about,  and  for  the  next  six  years,  under 
the  calls  and  directions  of  the  three  presbyteries  of  Des  Moines^ 
Cedar,  and  Council  Bluffs — including  a  successful  pastorate  of  two 
and  a  half  years  at  Tipton  and  York  Prairie,  Cedar  county,  from 
which  he  was  called — he  was  engaged  in  visiting  and  helping  to 
build  up  all  their  vacant  churches  and  organizing  others  all  along 
the  new  line  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  and  Pacific  railroad,  from 
Des  Moines  to  Council  Bluffs,  at  Dexter,  Atlantic,  Walnut,  Avoca 
and  other  places. 

In  June,  1870,  Mr.  Hughes  went  to  Vinton,  Benton  county,  Iowa, 
and  entered  upon  a  large  missionary  work  in  Benton,  Tama  and 
Black  Hawk  counties,  within  the  bounds  of  Cedar  Rapids  and 
Waterloo  presbyteries.  He  here  labored  for  the  following  seventeen 
years  amidst  many  destitutions,  incessantly,  early  and  late,  in  the 
church  and  in  the  Sabbath  school,  and  from  house  to  house,  until 
his  health  failed.  Thus  closed  a  period  of  thirty  busy,  eventful 
and  successful  years  of  ministerial  (mostly  missionary)  labors — a 
period  marked  by  the  usual  lights  and  shades  of  ministerial  and 
missionary  life.  He  has  reason  to  know  that  "  his  labors  were  not 
in  vain  in  the  Lord."  Of  not  a  few  he  is  able  to  say,  "  Ye  are  my 
joy  and  crown."  Every  church  and  missionary  station  where  he 
regularly  officiated  prospered,  and  he  was  always  permitted  to  leave 
them  in  a  better  condition  than  he  found  them  ;  while  in  every 
field  of  labor  he  was  favored  with  "  times  of  refreshing  from  the 
presence  of  the  Lord ;"  so  that  in  them  all  the  number  of  communi- 


9a 

cants  was  doubled  or  trebled,  and  be  bas  been  instrumental  in 
bringing  at  least  balf  a  dozen  young  men  into  the  ministry.  He 
has  built  seven  new  houses  of  worship  and  remodeled  and  improved 
three  old  ones.  He  has  organized  or  helped  to  build  up  a  score  of 
new  churches,  and  as  many  successful  Sabbath  schools,  and  there 
are  now  at  least  a  dozen  and  a  half  ministers  supplying  those  new 
churches.  Under  all  this  wear  and  tear  of  nerve  and  muscle  by 
night  and  day,  in  sunshine  and  in  storm,  amidst  the  bleak  winds 
and  long  winters  and  sudden  changes  of  that  prairie  region,  his 
health  did  at  times  well-nigh  fail;  but  "the  Lord  healed  all  his 
diseases  and  redeemed  his  life  from  destruction,  and  ofttimes 
renewed  his  youth."  His  greatest  trouble  was  from  asthma,  and 
this  at  length  compelled  him  to  resort  to  a  change  of  climate,  but 
not  till  another  and  greater  affliction  was  sent  upon  him.  On  the 
5th  of  October,  1886,  at  Traer,  their  home  at  that  time,  the  beloved 
wife  of  his  youth  and  old  age,  who  for  forty-three  years  had  stood 
by  his  side,  a  faithful  co-laborer  and  a  patient  sufferer,  was  called  to 
her  heavenly  home.  She  died  in  great  peace  and  in  the  enjoyment 
of  a  bright  hope.  They  were  blessed  with  eight  children — four 
sons  and  four  daughters.  Five  are  still  living — two  sons  and  three 
daughters — all  well  educated,  all  bat  one  married,  and  all  caring 
for  themselves.  Dr.  Hughes  has  also  fifteen  grandchildren.  One 
of  his  married  daughters  lives  at  Lake  Charles,  Louisiana.  Visiting 
her  and  finding  no  Presbyterian  Church  at  that  place,  with  charac- 
teristic energy  he  set  about  having  one  established,  and  through 
his  timely  encouragement  the  result  has  been  the  organization  of  a 
church  there  in  connection  with  the  Southern  Presbyterian  body, 
and  the  erection  of  a  very  commodious  house  of  worship,  in  the 
dedication  of  which,  on  a  recent  visit,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
taking  part.  After  the  death  of  his  wife,  and  his  own  health  failing 
him  again,  he  spent  the  winter  of  i886-'7  in  his  native  air,  at  Cape 
May,  N.  J.  Here  his  health,  in  the  kind  providence  of  God,  was 
wonderfully  improved,  and  in  the  Spring  of  1887,  he  returned  to 
his  old  Presbytery  of  Huntingdon,  which  immediately  appointed 
him  to  supply  the  vacant  churches  of  Petersburg  and  vicinity,  which 
he  continues  to  do  with  encouraging  success. 

Besides  his  pastoral  and  missionary  work.  Dr.  Hughes  has  been 
influential  and  active  in  matters  of  education.     In  the  beginning  of 


99. 

his  ministry  he  first  for  two  years  tauf^ht  six  young  men  privately. 
He  then  for  two  }ears  had  charge  of  the  Lewistown  Academy, 
and  for  one  year  was  superintendent  of  public  schools  in  his  town- 
ship. He  was,  after  the  death  of  Rev.  J.  Y.  McGinnes,  solicited  to 
take  charge  of  the  Shade  Gap  Academy,  and  at  another  time  of  the 
"  Mountain  Female  Seminary,"  both  of  which  he  declined.  In  Iowa 
he  was  urged  to  take  charge  of  the  female  seminary  at  Sidney.  He 
was  a  trustee  and  for  a  time  financial  agent  (gratuitously,  without 
intermitting  his  other  work)  of  Lenox  Collegiate  Institute,  of  which 
he  was  afterwards  offered  the  presidency. 

Dr.  Hughes  has  written  a  good  deal  for  publication.  In  1854 
he  wrote  the  life  of  Rev.  J.  Y.  McGinnes,  a  duodecimo  volume  of 
over  300  pages,  of  which  an  edition  of  2,000  copies  was  disposed  of 
within  three  months.  Both  in  Pennsylvania  and  in  Iowa  a  variety 
of  sermons,  addresses,  and  discussions  of  his  have  been  published, 
that  were  delivered  on  special  occasions,  and  before  various  insti- 
tutions. He  has  also  written  extensively  for  the  religious  and 
secular  newspapers — letters  of  travel  and  miscellaneous  articles. 
His  latest  work  has  been  the  preparation  and  delivery,  last  Autumn, 
of  an  elaborate  historical  address,  on  the  occasion  of  the  one  hundred 
and  seventy-fifth  anniversary  of  the  founding  of  the  Cold  Spring 
Church,  Cape  May,  New  Jersey. 

Mr.  Hughes  also  showed  himself  to  be  a  public-spirited  citizen 
and  "man  of  affairs."  He  helped  to  build  a  mile  of  the  Council 
Bluffs  and  St.  Joe  Railroad,  by  Pacific  City, — the  first  railroad  in 
Western  Iowa.  For  two  years  he  was  tax  assessor  for  his  town- 
ship. He  served  as  township  clerk,  school  secretary,  and  school 
treasurer.  He  became  an  extensive  farmer,  opening  and  improv- 
ing several  considerable  farms,  aggregating  twelve  hundred  acres. 
He  introduced  the  cultivation  of  flax,  and  improved  breeds  of  hogs 
and  cattle.  He  at  one  time  became  a  large  cattle-owner,  selling 
at  one  public  sale  over  ^26,000  worth  of  "short  horns."  He  was 
gradually  and  almost  insensibly  drawn  into  these  secubr  engage- 
ments without  abating  his  usual  ministerial  work.  One  of  his 
ruling  elders  once  said  to  Mrs.  Hughes,  "What  your  husband  is 
doing  is  enough  to  kill  two  men."  The  prospect  of  wealth  seemed 
to  be  opening  before  him,  but  there  was  a  turn  in  his  affairs  in- 
volving serious  losses.     Through  these,  and  his  own  independent 


100. 

reflections,  God  at  length  showed  him  that  he  was  consuming  time 
and  energies  in  this  way  that  ought  to  be  devoted  to  his  sacred 
calling.  He  resolved  to  give  it  all  up,  at  further,  voluntary,  and 
great  pecuniary  sacrifice  ;  which  he  did  in  1881,  thenceforth  devot- 
ing himself  exclusively  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  In  view  of  his 
experience  in  these  matters  he  realizes  the  truth  and  force  of 
Whittier's  lines  in  "  Burning  Driftwood : " 

"  Whatever  perished  with  my  ships, 
I  only  know  the  best  remains  ; 
A  song  of  praise  is  on  my  lips 
For  losses  which  are  now  my  gains." 

That  he  maintained  throughout  that  period  of  his  life  a  conse- 
crated spirit,  is  shown  in  that  his  custom  always  was  to  devote 
from  one-tenth  to  one-seventh  of  his  income  to  religious  and  benev- 
olent uses,  and  at  one  time,  estimating  his  property  at  ;^io,ooo,  he 
set  apart  and  within  the  month  following  gave  one-tenth  of  that 
principal,  or  ^1,000,  to  benevolent  objects. 

It  will  be  seen  that  Dr.  Hughes'  life  has  been  a  very  busy  one — 
his  labors  many,  arduous,  and  constant — and  to  an  eminent  degree 
successful  and  useful.  The  promise  of  youth,  which  was  fair,  has 
been  more  than  fulfilled.  He  has  had  gratifying  proofs  of  divine 
approval  in  the  blessings  that  have  attended  his  labors  in  the 
gospel,  and  to  a  very  satisfactory  degree  he  has  won  the  approval 
and  esteem  of  his  fellow-men.  The  stated  clerk  of  Waterloo  Pres- 
bytery, when  he  was  leaving  them,  wrote  :  '•  We  are  sorry  to  part 
with  you.  No  member  of  this  presbytery  would  be  more  missed. 
Your  wise  counsel  and  kindly  spirit  carried  us  through  many  a 
difficulty,  and  it  is  wonderful  that,  with  your  asthma,  you  can  do 
so  much."  And,  in  writing  to  The  Presbyterian,  he  says  :  "  This 
interesting  field  is  now  vacant.  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes  having 
felt  obliged  by  failing  health  to  relinquish  his  work,  it  deserves  as 
good  a  pastor  as  it  has  lost.  Better  there  could  hardly  be."  The 
Hon.  Joseph  Dysart,  ex-Lieutenant  Governor  of  Iowa,  in  his  his- 
tory of  Dysart  and  vicinity,  where  Mr.  Hughes  labored  for  seven 
years,  says  :  "  Mr.  Hughes'  career  as  a  minister  has  been  a  check- 
ered one — long  and  laborious.  Endowed  by  nature  with  an  iron 
will,  a  physique  remarkable  for  endurance,  and  a  most  equable 
temperament,  he  has  surmounted  difficulties  that  but  few  of  his 


101. 

fellow-mortals  have  confronted.  His  mind  is  well  disciplined,  his 
memory  tenacious  and  well  stored  with  a  fund  of  biblical  and 
secular  knowledge.  He  is  a  good  speaker,  a  ready  writer,  and  a 
controversialist  that  his  foemen  must  respect." 

It  has  been  but  a  just  recognition  of  Mr.  Hughes'  solid  attain- 
ments in  theology,  his  ability  as  a  preacher,  and  his  long,  arduous 
and  successful  career  in  the  ministry,  that  on  the  occasion  of  the 
present  commencement  the  trustees  of  Washington  and  Jefferson 
College  have  conferred  on  him  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Divinity. 

Dr.  Hughes  is  now  in  the  48th  year  of  his  ministry  ar'd  the  71st 
year  of  his  age;  but,  noting  his  erect  figure,  his  firm  step,  his 
vivacity  of  manner,  his  clear  and  strong  voice  and  forcible  delivery 
in  public  speaking,  one  would  hardly  suspect  that  he  had  passed 
the  ordinary  limit  of  human  life." 

I  wish  to  record  here  my  unwavering  belief  in  the  excellency  of 
the  Calvinistic  system  of  Faith.  I  have  found  during  the  48  years 
of  my  ministry  nothing  better.  I  have  never  failed  to  preach  it  in 
high  places  or  in  low  places.  I  have  realized  its  effectiveness 
everywhere.  It  is  Divinely  revealed  in  both  the  Old  and  the  New 
Testaments.  Christ  taught  it.  Paul  taught  it.  And  it  has  been 
a  living  power  ever  since.  It  honors  God,  and  humbles  and  saves 
men.  And  this  is  the  design  and  the  result  of  true  religion.  All 
is  of  grace.  Our  Pauhne  Theology,  our  Calvanistic  Faith,  plainly 
evolved  from  the  word  of  God  and  logically  based  upon  its  teach- 
ings— having  as  its  healthy,  safe,  and  long  tried  exponents,  the 
Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  with  both  its  larger  and  shorter 
Catechisms,  and  accompanied  by  its  outline  of  Ecclesiastical 
polity — is  not  a  mere  wishy-washy,  milk  and  water,  anything  or 
nothing  establishment — a  mere  will-o'-the-wisp  that  is  here  or 
there  or  yonder,  as  human  applause  or  the  popular  speculations  of 
the  day  would  make  it :  but  it  is  intelligent,  scriptural,  positive, 
and  decided  in  its  character.  It  is  not  even  "  wood,  hay,  or 
stubble,"  it  is  the  "  gold,  silver,  and  precious  stones  " — the  onyx 
and  the  sapphire — eternal  truth,  invaluable  and  imperishable.  Its 
price  is  above  rubies.  Says  a  late  writer:  "It  is  all  nonsense 
about  Orthodox  preaching  being  unpopular.     The  spirit  of  the  age 


103, 

will  no  more  modify  the  essential  truths  of  Christianity  than  it  will 
modify  the  mountains.  It  may  plant  more  fruits  and  flowers  on 
them,  but  they  are  unchangeable." 

The  Rev.  C.  H.  Spurgeon  says  in  the  preface  of  one  of  his  pub- 
lished volumes  of  sermons  : — "  We  have  met  with  nothing-  which 
has  shaken  our  faith  in  the  '  good  old  paths' :  but  with  many 
things  which  have  constrained  us  to  cleave  unto  the  word  of  the 
Lord  with  fixed  heart  and  determined  spirit.  Our  ministry  is  a 
testimony  that  no  new  theology  is  needed  to  stir  the  masses  and 
save  souls.  In  every  place  where  the  old  gospel  has  been  pro- 
claimed, it  has  had  its  trophies  from  the  worst  of  men,  and  we  are 
no  exception  to  the  rule.     The  slain  of  the  Lord  have  been  many." 

My  health  again  so  failed  me  in  the  Fall  of  1890,  that  feeling  it 
necessary  to  retire  from  the  active  duties  of  the  Ministry,  with  the 
approval  of  Presbytery,  I  preached  my  last  sermon  at  Petersburgh, 
Pa.,  on  December  28,  1890 — made  arrangements  to  have  my  pul- 
pits supplied  until  Spring — promised  to  make  my  full  report  to 
Presbytery  at  its  next  meeting  in  April,  1891 — and  designed  to 
spend  the  winter  in  a  milder  climate. 

The  Mountain  Messenger,  of  Alexandria,  Pa.,  in  its  issue  of 
December  1 890,  says  :  "  Dr.  Hughes  has  given  up  his  work,  and  is 
about  to  retire  from  the  ministry,  after  nearly  forty-eight  years  of 
faithful  and  untiring  labor.  The  title  'Honorably  Retired'  is  well 
earned  and  worthily  bestowed." 

January  8,  189 1,  was  my  71st  birthday.  Some  of  my  friends 
seized  this  opportunity  to  get  up  a  good  dinner  for  me,  and  to  in- 
vite several  of  my  ministerial,  and  other,  friends  to  share  the  feast 
with  me.  It  was  a  good  day,  and  a  pleasant  occasion.  The  Cape 
May  Wave,  N.  J.,  under  date  of  January  10,  1891,  has  the  follow- 
ing to  say  about  it — "Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes  has  just  closed  his 
pastorate  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Petersburgh,  Hunting- 
don County,  Pa.,  on  account  of  asthmatic  troubles.  His  many 
friends  took  advantage  of  his  early  departure,  and  having  knowl- 
edge of  his  birthday  occurring  on  Thursday  last  celebrated  the 
event  by  giving  him  a  dinner.  He  has  been  held  in  great  esteem 
by  the  entire  community,  and  leaves  them  to  the  regret  of  all." 
I  only  exclaim  with  the  Apostle:  "By  the  grace  of  God  I  am 
what  I  am." 


lOS. 

1  am  a  poor  sinner, 

And  just  nothing  at  all ; 
But  Jesus,  the  Saviour, 

Is  my  "  all  and  in  all." 

Just  at  this  time  I  fell  suddenly  and  seriously  ill,  lost  my 
strength,  my  appetite,  and  my  voice,  and  was  confined  to  the  house, 
under  medical  treatment,  for  the  next  two  months ;  so  that  I  could 
not  go  to  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  to  regain  my  general  health  as  I  had 
purposed  to  do.  "  Man  proposes,  but  God  disposes."  *'  It  is  not 
in  man  that  walketh  to  direct  his  steps.  A  man's  heart  deviseth 
his  way,  but  the  Lord  directeth  his  steps."  In  the  great  mercy  of 
the  Lord,  however,  my  health  gradually  improved,  and  on  March 
lOth,  the  day  being  favorable,  I  left  Petersburgh  at  8.20  A  M.; 
and  arrived  safely  at  Cape  May  City,  N.  J.,  the  same  day  at  6.30 
P.  M.  Since,  that  time  my  health  has  been  here  quite  fully  re- 
stored again.  The  Cape  May  Wave,  under  date  of  April  4,  1891, 
published  the  following :  "  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes  has  been  here 
at  Cape  May  City  now  three  weeks,  and  is  greatly  improved  in 
health.  His  cough  and  asthma  seem  to  be  entirely  gone — his 
medicines  are  laid  aside — and  his  rheumatism,  that  he  brought  with 
him,  is  better.  This  also  he  hopes  will  leave  him  as  soon  as  the 
weather  becomes  settled.  He  is  busy  daily  in  assisting  the  Wave 
to  get  out  his  new  book  on  Ancestral  History,  entitled,  "  God's 
Covenant  Fulfilled  in  Pious  Households,"  which  is  expected  to  be 
completed  in  a  few  weeks.  The  book  is  well  spoken  of  as  full  of 
interest  and  profit." 

It  is  simply  wonderful  how  that  my  native  sea  air  restores  me  to 
health,  whenever  in  sickness  I  visit  it.  I  can,  with  both  gratitude 
and  joy,  use  the  language  of  David :  "  Bless  the  Lord,  O  my  soul, 
and  forget  not  all  his  benefits  ;  Who  forgiveth  all  thine  iniquities  ; 
Who  healeth  all  thy  diseases;  Who  redeemeth  thy  life  from  de- 
struction; Who  crowneth  thee  with  loving-kindness  and  tender 
mercies  ;  Who  satisfieth  thy  mouth  with  good  things,  so  that  thy 
youth  is  renewed  like  the  eagle's." 

I  can  appropriately  use  here  a  part  of  one  of  my  favorite  h}.Tnns : 

"When  trouble,  like  a  gloomy  cloud, 
Has  gathered  thick,  and  thundered  loud. 
He  near  my  soul  has  always  stood  ; 
His  loving-kindness,  O  !  how  good  ! 


•104 

Soon  shall  T  pass  the  gloomy  vale; 
Soon  all  my  mortal  powers  must  fail ; 
O  !  may  my  last  expiring  breath, 
His  loving-kindness  sing  in  death." 

As  I  have  always  been  deeply  interested  in  Home  Missions,  and 
have  devoted  to  this  cause  the  principal  part  of  my  life  ;  I  deem  it 
not  inappropriate,  and  I  hope  that  it  will  be  satisfactory  to  my 
many  relatives  as  also  will  help  interest  them  afresh  in  the  subject, 
to  append  here  the  following  address  that  I  delivered  immediately 
after  preaching  a  sermon  from  2  Cor.,  8:9 — in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  at  Cape  May  City,  N.  J.,  by  invitation  of  its  pastor,  Rev. 
C.  A.  Brewster,  on  Sabbath,  March  6,  1887,  and  which  was  pub- 
lished in  the  Star  of  the  Cape  March  18,  1887. 

HOME  MISSIONS. 

Your  pastor  invited  me,  as  an  old  missionary,  to  preach  for  you 
to-day  the  annual  sermon,  and  to  say  something  in  the  behalf  of 
Home  Missions.  I  do  so  with  pleasure.  The  cause  of  Missions 
is  a  grand  one.  It  has  its  discouragements  and  trials,  but  it  has 
also  its  encouragements  and  triumphs.  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
was  the  first  and  greatest  missionary.  "  God  sent  not  His  Son 
into  the  world  to  condemn  the  world ;  but  that  the  world  through 
him  might  be  saved,"  Jesus  came  from  heaven  to  earth  upon  a 
mission  of  love.  He  came  to  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity,  and  to 
purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works.  He 
came  to  restore  us,  as  sinners,  to  the  favor  and  image  of  God,  and 
to  secure  for  us  a  heavenly  inheritance  and  life  everlasting.  In 
order  to  do  it  he  gave  us  himself,  his  life,  his  all.  And  on  the 
cross  he  exclaimed,  "  It  is  finished."  I  love  the  cause  of  Missions. 
To  it  I  have  devoted  my  life,  my  energies  and  my  estate.  And 
now  that  my  life  is  spared,  and  my  voice  is  continued,  I  am  ready, 
as  I  have  opportunity  and  ability,  to  speak  in  its  behalf.  And  yet 
in  ray  Home  Missionary  work  for  thirty  years  and  more  my  heart 
is  sometimes  so  full  of  it,  and  my  feelings  so  tender  about  it,  that 
as  many  incidents  and  associations  impress  themselves  upon  my 
memory,  I  can  scarcely  speak  of  them  without  tears.  Although 
always  partially  engaged,  more  or  less,  in  missionary  work  during 
the  first  nearly  fifteen  years  of  my  early  ministry  that  I  resided  in 


105. 

Pennsylvania,  yet  in  1857,  i^  order  that  I  might  engage  in  it 
wholly,  I  resigned  my  charge  there,  and  with  a  large  family  and 
the  most  of  our  household  goods  removed  via  St.  Louis  and  up  the 
Missouri  River  some  1500  to  2000  miles,  amidst  many  inconveni- 
ences in  those  early  times,  to  the  southwest  border  of  Mills  county, 
sixteen  miles  south  of  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  on  the  Missouri  River, 
at  a  personal  cost  of  ^750.  This  river  was  the  farthest  Western 
boundary  of  the  United  States.  All  beyond,  then,  to  the  Pacific  ocean 
was  one  wide  waste  of  territory  except  for  a  few  miles  west  of  the 
Missouri  River,  and  here  and  there  small  and  scattered  improve- 
ments. The  first  seven  years  I  spent  in  the  Council  Bluffs  Presbytery, 
along  the  Missouri  River ;  the  next  six  years  I  spent  in  the  Des 
Moines  and  Cedar  Presbyteries,  in  the  central  part  of  the  State  ;  and 
the  last  seventeen  years  I  spent  in  the  Cedar  Rapids  and  Waterloo 
Presbyteries,  in  a  more  northerly  part  of  the  State, 

You  have  Home  Missions  in  New  Jersey,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Illinois,  and  other  Northern  and  Southern  States ;  but  I 
shall  briefly  speak  of  the  other  half  of  our  continent  stretching 
from  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  Pacific  Ocean — Iowa  having  been 
admitted  into  the  Union  as  a  State  on  December  28,  1846,  and  the 
only  State  then  west  of  the  Mississippi  River  except  California,  in 
the  far  Southwest,  admitted  September  9,  1850.  I  might  readily 
spend  an  hour  in  telling  you  of  the  greatness  of  this  work — in  its 
vast  importance,  the  wide  extent  of  its  territory,  its  rich  soil  and 
varied  climate,  its  many  destitutions,  the  numerous  difficulties  it 
has  to  overcome  because  of  the  aboundings  of  worldliness  and 
error,  the  growing  want  of  both  men  and  means  to  carry  it  forward, 
and  its  already  glorious  results.  But  this  I  cannot  now  do.  Yet  I 
feel  like  pointing  you  in  our  text,  2  Cor.,  8:9,  to-day,  to  the  noblest 
example  on  record  to  stimulate  you  to  self-denial,  liberality,  and 
holy  endeavors  in  behalf  of  this  blessed  cause.  And  I  can  testify 
to  you  from  my  own  experience  and  observation,  as  an  eye-wit- 
ness, that  while  I  was  in  the  West  from  1857  to  1887  I  saw  the 
vast  masses  of  human  beings  with  horse  teams,  mule  teams,  and  ox 
teams,  as  well  as  on  railroads  in  later  years,  rush  by  in  almost 
ceaseless  crowds  to  California,  Pike's  Peak,  Oregon,  and  the  varied 
Territories — until  nations  seemed  to  be  formed  in  a  day.  I  have 
seen  State  after  State  admitted  into  the  Union.     I  have  seen  those 


107. 

wide  and  desolate  Territories  and  new  States  spanned  by  rail- 
roads— dotted  over  with  thriving  towns  and  cities,  improved  farms, 
vast  herds  of  all  kinds,  and  factories  of  every  description — and  best 
of  all  with  schools,  academies,  and  colleges,  with  temperance  socie- 
ties and  Young  Men's  Christian  Associations,  and  with  Sabbath 
schools  and  churches  of  all  denominations  in  every  direction. 
While  many  revivals  of  religion  and  encouraging  growth  in  both 
temporal  and  spiritual  things  have  been  experienced  all  along  the 
slopes  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  the  shores  of  the  Pacific. 

When  I  first  went  West  I  did  not  expect  to  remain  there  more 
than  ten  years,  and  thought  I  would  be  more  useful  there  during 
those  years  in  organizing  and  building  up  new  churches  in  desti- 
tute settlements  than  I  would  by  remaining  in  a  well  established 
church  in  the  East.  But  I  always  found  the  work  so  constantly 
widening  in  my  hands  that  I  never  saw  any  just  opportunity  for 
me  to  leave  it.  And  it  was  only  because  my  failmg  health  warned 
me  that  it  was  dangerous  for  me  to  continue  longer  in  my  labors 
and  exposures  amidst  the  severity  of  Iowa  winters,  that  I  was  com- 
pelled finally  to  resign  my  work  there  and  seek  a  more  congenial 
climate  in  the  place  of  my  nativity,  and  for  a  time  at  least  to  be 
laid  aside  from  the  active  duties  of  the  ministry.  But  the  retro- 
spect of  the  success  of  those  labors,  by  the  grace  of  God,  is 
pleasing.  Besides  all  other  rapid  improvements  that  were  made 
all  around,  there  are  not  less  than  a  dozen  and  a  half  of  ministers 
who  are  now  supplying  those  churches  that  I  aided  in  organizing 
and  establishing.  To  God  be  the  praise.  This  great  work  of  Home 
Missions  has  advanced  from  the  beginning  in  all  our  New  West  (as 
we  may  call  it)  not  only  three  fold  and  four  fold,  but  thirty  fold, 
sixty  fold,  and  one  hundred  fold.  Did  time  permit,  it  might  be 
easy  to  show  this  in  Iowa,  Texas,  Kansas,  Nebraska,  Minnesota, 
Dakota,  Idaho,  Montana,  Wyoming,  Washington,  Alaska,  Oregon, 
Colorado,  and  California.  The  work  also  among  the  exceptional 
populations,  as  they  are  termed,  of  the  Mormons,  the  Indians,  and 
the  Mexicans,  is  large,  growing  and  imperative.  This  work,  as 
well  as  the  schools  among  the  freedmen  and  many  of  the  poor 
Southern  whites,  is  mainly  in  charge  of  our  noble  Women's  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

The  cause  of  all  this  remarkable  growth — next  to  the  word  and 


106. 

Spirit  of  God  arousing  his  churches,  in  this  missionary  age,  to  re- 
newed consecration  to  his  service  and  to  an  increased  effort  to 
rescue  the  perishing,  and  tlie  earnest  labors  of  his  missionary  serv- 
ants on  the  field — are  the  wonderful  providences  of  God  in  the 
liberal  provision  made  for  securing  fertile  lands,  the  discoveries  of 
vast  quantities  of  precious  metals,  the  building  of  long  lines  of 
railroads  and  telegraphs,  the  pouring  into  all  these  new  regions  of 
our  own  people  by  the  thousands  with  marvelous  rapidity,  and  the 
immigration  therein  of  foreigners  annually  in  almost  countless 
numbers,  constituting  in  many  places  one-third  or  more  of  the  en- 
tire population.  All  this  necessarily  creates  a  constant  demand 
annually  for  more  men  and  more  money,  in  order  to  meet  both  the 
wants  of  the  situation  and  the  respons.bilities  that  God  has  laid 
upon  his  churches. 

If  our  motto  is  "America  for  Christ,"  it  is  no  wonder  that  the 
cries  reach  us  from  every  quarter,  "  Send  us  more  men,"  "  Come 
over  and  help  us."  It  is  no  wonder  that  our  excellent  Board  of 
Home  Missions,  in  struggling  to  solve  the  mighty  problem  of  how 
to  supply  these  surging  masses  of  humanity  with  the  saving  gospel 
of  Christ,  has  incurred  a  debt.  You  need  more  men  and  more 
money  to  meet  the  missionary  demands  in  the  East;  but  we  need 
them  especially  in  the  West,  where  society  is  in  a  forming  state, 
where  destitutions  are  so  large  and  so  multiplied,  and  where  early 
and  adapted  effort  will  so  soon  be  crowned  richly  with  the  Divine 
blessing.  "The  great  and  vital  interests  of  the  church  and  of  the 
world  are  wrapped  up  in  this  missionary  work.  Everything  that 
we  hold  dear  in  social  life,  in  civil  government,  in  christian  institu- 
tions, in  the  spread  of  religion  over  the  earth,  so  far  as  human  in- 
strumentalities are  concerned,  depends  upon  the  way  we  preach 
the  Gospel  in  these  rapidly  growing  communities." — (Minutes 
G,  A.,  p.  40}.  There  are  great  perils  before  us  as  a  nation  if  we 
neglect  here  to  do  our  duty.  Political  power  to  control  the  gov- 
ernment is  fast  centering  in  the  West,  and  hence  the  great  import- 
ance of  having  it  religiously  educated  and  leavened  with  the  Spirit 
and  grace  of  God.  Our  civil  as  well  as  our  social  and  religious 
condition,  then,  as  a  nation,  bid  us  as  christians  without  delay,  and 
with  heart  and  purse,  to  "  stand  up  for  Jesus."  At  the  same  [time, 
I  am  positively  of  the  opinion  that  if — under  the  free  and  liberal 


108. 

provisions  of  our  government  for  the  safety  and  comfort  of  all  its 
citizens — foreigners,  who  come  to  America  to  better  their  condi- 
tion, instead  of  being  obedient  to  our  laws  and  helping  to  maintain 
our  well  established  institutions,  shall  attempt  to  subvert  them  by 
destroying  our  Bibles  and  Sabbaths,  upholding  the  deadly  liquor 
traffic  and  the  lowest  forms  of  human  life  connected  with  it,  en- 
couraging Anarchy,  riot  and  blood  shed,  thus  sapping  the  very 
foundations  of  our  government — then,  in  order  to  its  own  self- 
preservation,  if  these  people  will  not  be  and  cannot  be  American- 
ized and  christianized,  our  government  must  either  expatriate 
gross  offenders,  or  mete  out  to  them  the  full  penalty  of  the  law  for 
their  revolutionary  conduct ;  or  it  will  be  compelled  eventually  to 
limit,  if  not  to  forbid  altogether,  such  immense  immigrations, 

Missionaries  themselves  not  only  go  far  hence  from   friends  and 
all  the  endearments  and  attractions  of  well  regulated  religious  so- 
ciety, to  endure  the  toils,  privations,  and  exposures,  of  new  settle- 
ments and  frontier   life ;    and  often  to  preach  in  every  direction 
without  any  pecuniary  return  from  the  people ;  but  they  also,  even 
amidst  the  pinchings  of  poverty  from  their  small  and   uncertain 
salaries,  cheerfully  give  of  their  income  annually  that  the  waste 
places  in  Zion  may  be  supplied,  precious  souls  saved,  Christ  hon- 
ored, and  our  country  preserved  and  blessed.     Is  it  too  much,  then, 
to  expect  that  christians  at  home,  in   more  favored  localities  and 
amidst  pleasant  surroundings,  shall,  out  of  their  abundance  and 
comfort,  minister  to  the  necessities  of  their  brethren   in  the  Lord, 
who,   as  above  stated,  are  willing  to  spend  and  to  be  spent  far 
away  in  their  blessed  Master's  service?     It  is  not  poverty  but  in- 
difference that  cripples  our  energies  in  the  benevolent  work  of  the 
church.     And   let  me  add,   that    if  as  a  church  you  will  be  dis- 
tinguished for  your  missionary  character,  next  to  your  strong  ad- 
herence to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  you  will  occupy  the  very  highest 
position.     The  great  commission  of  Christ  to  all  his  disciples  is  to 
spread  everywhere  saving  gospel  truth.     He  says,  "  Go  ye  into  all 
the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature."     Some  must 
go  in  person,  and   some   must  go  by  their   contributions,  and  all 
must  go  with  their  faith  and  prayers.     Two  hundred  ministers  and 
teachers,  well  prepared,  are  needed  this  Spring  to  supply  the  waste 
places  of  our  Zion.     And  our  General  Assembly  has  recommended 


im. 

the  churches  under  its  care  to  raise  In  the  support  of  this  grand 
work  the  sum  of  ^750,000  this  year,  which  closes  on  the  31st  day 
of  this  present  month  (March,  1887). 

Permit  me,  in  closing,  to  ask  who  of  you  here  to-day  that  shall 
hear  the  Lord's  question,  "Whom  shall  I  send"  into  this  great 
harvest  field?  will  answer,  "  Here  am  I,  send  me?"  And  who  of 
you  here  to-day,  young  and  old,  will  help  raise,  according  to  his 
several  ability  and  as  God  hath  prospered  you  the  above  men- 
tioned sum  as  needed  and  as  recommended  by  our  General 
Assembly  ?  Will  not  every  one  of  you  say  "  I  will  ?"  From  what 
I  know,  personally,  of  our  Board  of  Home  Missions,  I  can  cor- 
dially commend  its  fidelity  and  energy  to  you  for  your  liberal  sup- 
port and  your  fervent  prayers  for  its  enlarged  usefulness  in  its 
noble  work  of  helping  save  our  beloved  land. 

MRS.  ELMIRA  WILLIAMS  HUGHES. 

The  GRAND-PARENTS  of  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Daniel  L.  Hughes,  on  her  father's  side  were  Humphrey  hughes 
(who  died  at  sea  while  her  father  was  a  child)  and  Jane  Whillden 
Hughes,  the  daughter  of  James  Whillden,  and  an  own  sister  to 
*'  Uncle  "  Matthew  Whillden,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  godly 
ruling  elders  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  Cape  May 
County,  N.  J.  Their  only  child  was  Humphrey  Hughes.  After 
her  husband's  death  Mrs.  Jane  W.  Hughes  married  Jeremiah  Ed- 
munds, and  had  three  children,  Elizabeth,  Mahala,  and  Jeremiah 
Edmunds. 

Her  GRAND-PARENTS  on  her  mother's  side  were  William 
Williams  of  Loudon  County,  Virginia,  son  of  David  and  Ann 
Williams,  and  Abigail  Collings  Williams,  daughter  of  Richard 
and  Hetty  Zanes  Collings  of  Gloucester  County,  N.  J.  They  were 
married  July  24, 1779,  by  William  Smith,  D.D„  Prov.  of  the  College 
of  Philadelphia.  Their  only  child  was  Hetty  Williams.  William 
Williams  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Revolutionary  Army,  a  brave  and 
skilful  officer  of  considerable  fame  He  was  a  brother  of  Lieutenant 
David  Williams  of  Virginia,  who  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Co wpens 
South  Carolina. 

Abigail  C.  Williams,  his  wife,  was  born  February  10,  1759,  and 


no. 

Hied  February  24,  1847,  aged  eighty-eight  years  and  fourteen  days. 
She  was  a   remarkable  woman,  naturally  possessed  of  a  vigorous 
mind  and  that  well  cultivated.     She  was  far-sighted,  catching  often 
by  Iser  sagacity  and   dreams  a  glimpse   of  coming   events,  had  an 
excellent  memory,  and  was  a  great  reader,  keeping  up  with  all  the 
current  events  of  her  time,  political,  secular,  and  religious.     She 
was  quite  wealthy  and  moved  in  the  best  of  society.     Her  history 
as  connected  with  the  Zanes  and  Collings,as  well  as  Williams  families 
is  full  of  interest,  and  stirring  incident.     She  was  a  devout  and 
liberal-minded   Christian,  using   her  intelligence,  piety,  and  wealth 
to  advance  the  best  interests  of  society  and  the  church.     She  was 
a  great  Bible  reader,  and  would  often  at  one  sitting   read   one  or 
more  of  its  books  through  consecutively  ;  while  she  read  the  whole 
Bible  through  some  forty  times  during  her  life.     Possessed  of  much 
information  on  a  variety  of  subjects  she  was  an  entertaining  com- 
panion and   an    instructive   conversationalist.     Especially  in    her 
advanced  years,  did  the  children  and  youth  love  to  gather  in  her 
room  and  Hsten  to  her  recitals  of  Bible  stories  and  historical  narra- 
tives.    In  her  later  years  she  married  Methuselah  Davis,  who  also 
died  before  she  did,  her  property  became  somewhat  reduced,  and 
the  remainder  she  divided  wisely  before  her  death  among  her  heirs. 
Upon  receiving  the  news  of  her  death,  her  grand-daughter,  Elmira 
W.    Hughes,  residing  in    Little  Valley,    Pa.,   thus   wrote    in    her 
Diary — "March  2,  1847,  yesterday  I  heard  of  the  death  of  my 
beloved  grand-mother.     I   can   scarcely  realize  that  she   is  gone. 
There  is  a  vacancy  made  on  earth  which  can  never  be  filled ;  but 
we  have  one  more  tie  in  heaven.     O  1  that  we  all  may  be  prepared 
to  meet  her  there.     How  thankful  should  we  be   that  she  retained 
her  faculties  until  the  last.     She  said  shortly  before  she  died, — 'If 
I  know  of  anything  in  heaven  or  on  earth  that  I  love,  it  is — that 
dear  Lamb  of  God ' — a  term  which  she  generally  applied  to  the 
Saviour.     I  never  knew  the  depth  of  my  love  for  her  until  I  heard 
of  her  removal.     She  was  a  remarkable  woman  both  for  her  intel- 
lectual and  moral  powers.     She  had  such  a  pleasant  way  of  intro- 
ducing religion  into  every  day  conversation,  that  even  those  who 
were  not  serious  would  be  pleased  rather  than  offended,  and  christ- 
ians were  edified.     Had  her  opportunities  when  young  been  equal 
to  her  talents  she  would  have  been  even  more  brilliant  in  the  in- 


lit. 

tellectual  world.  I  dislike  exaggerated  praises  of  the  dead,  but  I 
know  that  without  exaggeration,  there  were  few  like  her." 

The  PARENTS  of  Elmira  W,  Hughes  were  Capt.  Humphrey 
Hughes,  the  only  child  of  Humphrey  and  Jane  Whillden  Hughes, 
and  Hetty  Williams  Hughes,  the  or.ly  child  of  Lieutenant 
William  Williams  and  Abigail  Collings  Williams.  They  were  married 
March  9,  1800.  Her  father  was  born  November  20,  1775,  and  died 
August  21,  1858,  aged  eighty  two  years,  nine  months  and  one  day. 
He   led   a  sea-faring  life,  and  was  master  of  his  business. 

He  was  a  large  man,  of  fine  appearance,  weighing  two  hundred 
pounds,  and  had  a  pleasant  disposition  and  an  accommodating 
spirit.  He  had  a  large  experience  of  ocean-life,  traveled  exten- 
sively to  various  sea-ports,  and  "  all  over  the  world"  as  he  used  to 
say.  He  often  had  command  of  large  vessels  that  were  freighted 
with  very  valuable  cargoes  worth  hundreds  of  thousands  of  do  lars, 
that  he  had  to  dispose  of  and  account  for.  But  he  was  a  man  of 
sterling  integrity,  and  secured  both  the  confidence  and  the  respect 
of  his  employers.  For  many  years  he  was  appointed  by  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States  as  the  Captain  or  Superintendent  of 
the  Government  Light  Ship  on  the  Five  Fathoms  Bank,  south  of 
Cape  May,  New  Jersey.  He  retained  this  position  until  his  age 
and  infirmities  required  his  resignation. 

In  his  earlier  years  in  going  to  Virginia,  to  look  after  some 
property  that  belonged  to  him  and  to  his  family,  through  the 
Williams'  estate,  he  met  with  a  serious  accident  in  getting  out  ot 
the  stage  coach  by  breaking  a  blood  vessel,  which  was  a  source  ot 
trouble  to  him  ever  afterwards,  and  which  led  him  to  give  up  his 
intended  visit  and  to  return  home.  Before  his  death  he  united 
with  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church  on  profession  of  his 
faith  in  Christ,  and  died  peacefully  in  a  good  old  age,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Cold  Spring  Cemetery, 

His  wife,  Hetty  Williams  Hughes,  was  born  December  14,  1781, 
and  died  February  4,  1870,  aged  eighty-eight  years,  one  month, 
and  twenty  days.  Like  her  mother  she  was  a  remarkable  and  de- 
cided woman.  She  had  a  strong  mind,  an  excellent  judgment,  M'as 
industrious,  active,  and  enterprising,  a  great  Bible  and  newspaper 
reader,  intelligent  upon  the  prominent  questions  of  the  day  before 
the  State  and  the  Church,  and  was  withal  a  devoted  and  consistent 


112. 

christian.  She  loved  the  house  of  God,  the  prayer  meeting,  and 
the  Missionary  cause,  and  was  ahvays  by  her  presence  and  purse 
ready  to  help  them  forward.  As  her  husband  in  his  sea-faring  life 
was  necessarily  absent  very  much  from  home,  the  training  and  care 
of  her  large  family  almost  entirely  devolved  upon  her.  And  in  a 
highly  successful  degree  did  she  meet  all  these  heavy  responsi- 
bilities. Her  wisdom,  energy,  and  financial  executive  ability,  in 
answer  to  her  strong  faith  in  God  and  constant  prayer  for  his 
guidance  and  help,  enabled  her  to  triumph  over  her  greatest  diffi- 
culties, and  to  train  up  her  sons  and  daughters  so  as  to  have 
standard  characters  and  to  be  prepared  to  occupy  responsible  and 
useful  stations  in  life.  Two  of  the  sons  became  reliable  pilots. 
One  daughter  married  a  ruling  elder  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presby- 
terian Church ;  another  married  its  pastor ;  and  the  next  and 
youngest  married  one  of  its  sons,  also  a  Presbyterian  minister. 
She  said  to  me  once,  "  God  is  better  than  our  fears."  She  died, 
hopefully  and  trustingly,  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Parson- 
age, at  her  daughter's — Mrs.  Emily  H.  Williamson — and  was  laid 
tenderly  to  rest  beside  her  departed  husband  in  the  old  cemetery. 
She  believed  in  God  that  all  her  children  would  be  saved. 

The  children  of  Capt.  Humphrey  and  Hetty  W.  Hughes  were  the 
following  nine  : — Infant  daughter  died  nameless,  Louisa  Williams, 
Joseph  Eastburn,  Albert  Henry,  Isaac  Collings,  Emily  Hurst, 
Elmira  Williams,  Humphrey,  and  Charles  Pinckney.  Of  these, 
three  only  are  now  living — Albert  H.,  Humphrey,  and  Charles  P. 

Louisa  Williams  Hughes,  the  second  child,  was  born  January 
9,  1806:  was  married  to  Enoch  Edmunds,  of  Fishing  Creek,  Cape 
May  county,  N.  J.,  July  16,  1822;  had  three  children,  Louisa  H., 
Elizabeth  S.,  and  Enoch;  and  died  August  21,  i860,  aged  fifty- four 
years,  seven  months  and  twelve  days.  She  was  an  intelligent, 
active,  and  devoted  Christian,  but  an  invalid  for  many  ^ears.  Enoch 
Edmunds,  her  husband,  was  born  in  1799,  and  died  March  30, 
1867,  aged  sixty-eight  years.  He  was  a  farmer,  diligent,  affable, 
honest,  and  public  spirited.  He  became  the  popular  Manager 
for  many  years  of  the  steamboat  business  from  the  (7ape  May 
Point  landing  to  Cape  May  City ;  and  was  also  a  punctual  and 
faithful  ruling  Elder  in  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church 
for  nearly  sixteen  years.     He  married,  as   his   second  wife.   Miss 


US. 

Mary  Miller,  of  Green  Creek.  She  was  born  May  15,  1804,  and 
died  July  23,  1883,  aged  seventy-nine  years,  two  months,  and  eight 
days.  Her  obituary  notice  says : — "  Mrs.  Edmunds  was  born  in 
Cape  May  County  and  lived  here  all  her  life.  At  an  early  age  she 
united  with  tlie  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and  ever  main- 
tained a  consistent  christian  life.  An  invalid  for  many  years,  she 
spent  her  time  in  quiet  seclusion  from  the  world,  ministering  to 
others  of  her  substance  and  doing  good  as  she  had  opportunity. 
Though  having  no  children,  she  cared  for  the  children  of  others. 
Enduring  patiently  to  the  end,  she  departed  in  peace  and  has  gone 
to  her  rest — the  reward  of  the  righteous, 

"  Lie  down,  frail  body,  here 
Earth  has  no  fairer  bed, 
No  gentler  pillows  to  afford — 
Come,  rest  thy  homesick  head." 

Joseph  Eastburn  Hughes  the  third  child  was  born  December  i, 
1809,  and  died  May  3,  18 10,  aged  five  months  and  two  days. 

Albert  Henry  Hughes^  the  fourth  child,  was  born  January  8, 
1812;  and  was  married  first  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schellenger,  of  Cape 
Island,  March  9, 1 839.  She  was  born  May  7, 1 8 1 7,  and  died  April  14, 
1844,  aged  twenty-six  years,  eleven  months,  and  seven  days.  They 
had  three  children—Abigail  Collings,  Jane  Schellenger,  and  Elizabeth 
Schellenger.  Mr.  Hughes  married  second^  Miss  Mary  Whitaker 
Pierson,  of  Cold  Spring,  May  6,  1845.  She  was  born  March  26, 181 7, 
and  has  been  a  prudent  and  faithful  wife  and  mother,  and  is  esteemed 
by  all.  They  are  both  decided  and  consistent  members  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church,  as  are  also  the  children  of  both  families.  This  marriage 
was  blessed  with  two  children,  Henry  Albert  and  Hetty  Williams. 

Albert  H.  has  been  a  reliable  and  successful  Cape  May  and  Dela- 
ware Bay  Pilot;  and  with  his  good  judgment  and  safe  investments 
has  secured  a  competent  portion  of  the  good  things  of  this  life,  and 
enjoys  God's  blessing  with  them.  As  a  sea-faring  life  is  one  of  the 
regular  occupations  of  the  citizens  of  Cape  May  County,  N.  J.,  they 
are  often  exposed  to  great  dangers,  and  are  often  found  in  perilous 
situations.  "  They  that  go  down  to  the  sea  in  ships,  that  do  busi- 
ness in  great  waters ;  these  see  the  works  of  the  Lord,  and  his 
wonders  in  the  deep.  For  he  commandeth,  and  raiseth  the  stormy 
wind,  which  lifteth   up  the  waves  thereof.     They  mount  up  to  the 


114. 

heavens,  they  go  down  again  to  the  depths :  their  soul  is  melted 
because  of  trouble.  They  reel  to  and  fro,  and  stagger  like  a 
drunken  man,  and  are  at  their  wit's  end.  Then  they  cry  unto  the 
Lord  in  their  trouble,  and  he  bringeth  them  out  of  their  dis- 
tresses."— Ps.  107:23-28.  One  exciting  scene  of  this  character, 
only,  will  I  here  record,  that  occurred  while  I  was  at  Cape  May 
City  during  the  winter  of  1887,  and  which  was  published  in  the 
Star  of  the  Cape,  March  18,  1887 — and  is  as  follows  : 

ADRIFT  AT  SEA. 

PILOT    I.  PUTNAM    HUGHES    ADRIFT    IN    AN    OPEN    BOAT    IN  THE    DARK- 
NESS   OF    NIGHT.       HIS    PROVIDENTIAL    RESCUE. 

It  was  on  Monday  afternoon  that  the  Pilot  Boat,  E.  C.  Knight, 
upon  which  cruise  a  number  of  our  Cape  May  pilots,  ran  in  under 
the  beach  to  send  her  skilT  ashore  with  several  of  the  men  who  re- 
side in  this  city.  Completing  their  errand  they  returned  to  the 
ship,  and  pilots  Putnam  Hughes,  his  brother,  Warren  Hughes, 
Alfonso  Bennett,  Harry  S.  Fldredge,  with  the  Captain,  Joseph 
Springer,  arranged  to  return  to  the  shore,  desiring  to  attend  the 
revival  meeting  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  of  which  most  of  them  are 
members,  leaving  Frank  S.  Eldredge  and  Wm.  T.  Eldredge  on 
board,  and  rowing  themselves  to  the  iron  pier,  their  annual  landing 
place.  When  they  reached  the  pier  it  was  nearly  dark.  The  wind 
was  blowing  almost  a  gale  from  the  northwest  and  the  sea  was  very 
rough,  beating  the  boat  about  violently  as  she  lay  at  the  pier  .while 
the  men  were  scrambling  out,  one  after  the  other.  All  had  reached 
the  platform  but  Mr.  Hughes  when  the  "painter"  slipped,  and 
before  it  could  be  recovered  the  horrible  fact  was  realized  that 
Hughes  was  powerlessly  adrift  It  was  a  terrible  situation,  and 
Mr.  Hughes'  heart  sank  within  him  as  he  found  himself  unable  to 
regain  the  pier,  and  drifting  rapidly  out  upon  the  wild  waves  into 
the  closing  darkness.  He  knew  not  what  his  comrades  would  do 
or  could  do  to  attempt  his  rescue.  Those  on  board  the  Knight 
knew  nothing  of  his  terrible  predicament,  and  he  doubted  if  his 
companions  could  procure  and  launch  another  boat,  or  possibly 
reach  the  Knight  and  give  the  alarm. 

Amid  the  wildest  excitement  the  pilots  searched  the  strand  for  a 
surf  boat,  but  only  an  old  skiff  was  found.     The  alarm  reached  but 


115. 

a  comparatively  few.  Woman,  ever  ready  to  aid  in  succoring  those 
in  distress,  found  a  place  for  action  in  this  emergency.  Mrs. 
Quidort  and  Mrs.  Capt.  Sooy  were  alone  at  the  residence  of  the 
former,  and  hastily  procured  oars  that  were  upon  the  premises,  and 
nobly  aided  in  dragging  the  boat  to  the  raging  surf.  No  time  was 
to  be  lost.  The  life  of  a  dear  comrade,  a  neighbor,  a  friend,  was 
at  stake.  Heroically  three  of  the  brave  men,  Warren  Hughes. 
Harry  Eldredge  and  Capt.  Springer,  put  out  in  the  old  skiff.  All 
must  not  go,  as  they  might  never  reach  the  ship  in  the  rickety 
boat.  At  last,  after  a  hard  pull  they  cleared  the  breakers,  reached 
the  ship  and  gave  the  alarm.  Blackness  of  darkness  had  settled 
down  over  the  waters,  and  more  than  one  "  God  help  us  "  was 
uttered  as  they  got  under  weigh  and  let  the  good  ship  Knight  scud 
before  the  wind  under  bare  poles,  keeping  her  as  near  the  direc- 
tion, off  and  on,  as  the  drifting  boat  must  have  taken.  They  had 
cruised  in  this  way  nearly  a  half  an  hour,  watching,  listening  for 
calls  to  reach  them  over  the  waves.  There  was  no  sign  of  the  lost 
one,  and  they  halted  in  their  course.  What  more  could  be  done 
they  knew  not,  but  after  a  httle  pilot  Frank  Eldredge  said,  "We 
will  not  give  him  up  yet,"  and  again  they  put  her  out  before  the 
wind  and  rounded  up  to  listen — see  they  could  not,  and — hark  !  a 
voice,  a  call,  far  out  on  the  waters,  between  them  and  the  shore. 
They  had  got  beyond  him.  A  wild  shout  went  up ;  "  God  direct 
us !"  was  now  the  prayer  which  went  heavenward,  and  ere  long  the 
helm  answered  to  its  last  test  and  the  little  boat  and  its  lone  occu- 
pant were  within  reach.  Worn  out  with  bailing  and  rowing,  his 
nervous  system  almost  prostrated  from  the  strain,  he  was  taken  on 
board,  embraced  over  and  over  again,  while  tears  fell  and  thanks- 
givings went  up  from  hearts  to  Him  who  had  directed  them  and 
answered  their  prayers.  It  was  nearly  ten  o'clock  that  night  when 
they  landed  upon  the  beach  and  told  the  exciting  story  to  many 
eager  listeners.  It  was  a  narrow  escape  from  an  awful  death,  and 
everywhere  the  hero  of  the  incident  appeared  his  hand  was  clasped, 
even  hardy  men  would  throw  their  arms  about  him  while  tears 
would  trickle  down  their  cheeks  and  mingle  with  his.  Mr,  Hughes 
is  a  man  beloved  in  the  church  and  by  the  community,  and  the  re- 
joicing at  his  providential  rescue  partook  almost  of  a  public 
character. 


116. 

"  It  was  one  chance  in  a  thousand  "  said  Frank  Eldredge,  and 
Mr.  Hughes  himself  declares  that  "  Nothing  but  God's  answer  to 
prayer  could  have  directed  the  vessel." 

Isaac  Collings  Hughes,  the  fifth  child,  was  born  April  13,  18 14, 
and  died  June  8,1815,  aged  one  year,  one  month  and  twenty-six  days. 

Emily  Hurst  Hughes,  the  sixth  child,  was  born  November  19, 
1817;  and  died  at  her  residence  in  Cape  May  City  on  Tuesday, 
December  18,  1888,  at  9.20  P.  M.  of  paralysis  of  the  brain,  aged 
seventy-one  years,  and  twenty-nine  days.  She  was  married  Septem- 
ber 1 5 , 1 834,  to  Rev.  Moses  Williamson,  the  pastor  of  the  Cold  Spring 
Presbyterian  Church,  whose  death  preceded  her's  about  eight  years. 

Mrs.  Williamson's  life  was  one  of  early  piety,  self-denial,  con- 
sistency, labor,  usefulness,  and  approval.  Her  death  was  calm  and 
peaceful.  The  published  obituary  of  her  says  ; — "  The  deceased 
was  a  woman  whose  quiet  ways  made  friends  of  all.  She  was  an 
active  and  very  industrious  woman  up  to  a  few  days  of  her  death. 
She  was  truly  a  good  woman,  whose  soul  now  rests  from  worldly 
care  in  that  land  where  dwell  the  spirits  of  loved  ones  goue  before. 
Several  daughters  and  a  son  mourn  the  loss  of  a  most  devoted 
mother." 

Rev.  Moses  Williamson,  her  husband,  was  born  in  Newville, 
Pa.,  May  7,  1802,  and  died  October  30,  1880,  aged  seventy-eight 
}  ears,  five  months,  and  twenty-three  days.  He  was  for  nearly 
forty-four  years  the  beloved  and  efficient  pastor  of  the  Cold  Spring 
Presbyterian  Church,  Cape  May,  New  Jersey.  If  any  should  de- 
sire to  read  an  extended  sketch  of  his  life,  character,  and  labors,  I 
would  refer  them  to  pages  12-15  o^  ^^  Historical  Address  I  de- 
livered at  Cape  May,  September  26,  1889,  on  the  175th  Anniver- 
sary of  the  Origin  of  the  Cold  Spring  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
published  by  the  Editor  of  the  Cape  May  Wave. 

Humphrey  Hughes,  the  eighth  child,  was  born  at  Cape  Island, 
N.  J.,  May  2,  1822.  He  married  Eliza  Eldredge,  of  Cold  Spring, 
N.  J.,  December  31,  1846,  and  had  two  children — Adrian  B.  and 
Harriet  E. — as  recorded  above  under  the  history  of  his  wife.  He 
was  a  reliable  Cape  May  and  Delaware  River  Pilot,  and  also  owned 
the  Tremont   House  in   Cape  May  City  and  run  it  as  a  Boarding 


117. 

House  for  a  number  of  years  during  the  summer  season.  He  was 
always  popular  and  accommodating  in  his  management, — his  nat- 
ural disposition  being  kind,  generous,  and  friendly :  but  since  his 
wife  met  with  the  great  affliction  of  losing  her  eyesight,  he  has 
found  it  necessary  to  rent  his  house,  and  he  and  his  wife  make 
their  home  in  it.  His  health  has  been  of  late  years  quite  feeble, 
but  until  last  fall  he  continued,  as  he  was  able,  his  occupation  as  a 
Pilot. 

Charles  Pinckney  Hughes,  the  ninth  and  youngest  child  of 
Captain  Humphrey  and  Hetty  W.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Cape 
Island,  N.  J.,  June  26,  1826.  He  received  his  education  at  Cape 
May,  and  at  the  Tuscarora  Academy,  Pa.  His  health,  however, 
became  so  infirm  that  he  was  compelled  to  discontinue  his  regular 
studies  and  to  return  home.  He  has  always  been  strictly  temper- 
ate in  all  his  habits,  and  from  his  youth  up  until  now  he  has  been 
a  kind,  conscientious,  and  consistent  christian.  He  is  unmarried ; 
and  although,  because  of  unsound  health,  he  could  not  undertake 
any  regular  and  steady  employment,  yet  he  tries  always  in  some 
way  to  be  useful.  He  has  a  comfortable  income  for  his  annual 
support,  and  has  for  many  years  resided  at  Townsend's  Inlet,  Cape 
May  County,  N.  J. 

It  would  be  interesting  and  profitable  to  write  out  in  detail  a  full 
history  of  all  the  family  connections  on  my  wife's  side — of  the 
Hughes',  Whillden's,  WilHams',  Collings',  Edmunds',  and  William- 
son's, with  all  their  respective  families;  but  this  is  outside  the  plan 
or  scope  of  my  present  effort,  and  I  therefore  omit  it. 

Elmira  W.  Hughes  was  the  seventh  child  of  Capt.  Humphrey 
and  Hetty  W.  Hughes,  and  became  the  beloved  wife  of  Rev, 
Daniel  L.  Hughes.  She  was  born  at  Cape  Island,  Cape  May 
County,  N.  J.,  January  i,  1820;  and  died  at  Traer,  Tama  County, 
Iowa,  October  5,  1886,  aged  sixty-six  years,  nine  months,  and  four 
days — after  being  confined  to  her  bed  nearly  eight  weeks  by  gen- 
eral debility,  from  a  chronic  cough  that  she  had  patiently  endured 
for  twenty-five  years.  She  was  buried  in  the  cemetery  at  Vinton, 
Iowa.  On  her  monument  is  inscribed  the  comprehensive  eulogy — 
"  Faithful  unto  death."  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  write  the  sketch 
of  her  hfe  as  a  dry  and  unmeaning  thing.     I  feel  that  I  must  pour 


out  the  wealth  of  my  heart,  next  to  that  of  my  dear  Saviour,  in  her 
behalf  We  were  born  together — in  the  same  month,  the  same 
year,  and  the  same  vicinity;  grew  up  together — being  baptized  in 
infancy  at  the  same  time,  in  the  same  church  and  by  the  same 
minister,  attending  the  same  schools,  and  under  the  same  teachers^ 
and  uniting  with  the  same  church  and  at  the  same  time  in  our 
fourteenth  year ;  and  lived  together  in  the  strongest  ties  of  mutual 
affection,  as  husband  and  wife,  for  forty-three  years,  until  separated 
for  a  brief  period  by  her  earlier  death. 

We  harmonized  nicely  in  our  general  views,  feelings,  and 
methods  of  effort.  And  we  lived,  and  labored,  and  prayed  together 
for  our  own  good,  for  the  good  of  all  our  children,  and  for  the  up- 
building of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom  in  all  the  world.  Our  lives 
seemed  to  run  almost  entirely  parallel  on  earth,  and  in  death  we 
cannot  be  long  divided.  We  shall  soon  be  reunited  in  the  "  better 
country "  in  more  perfect  bonds  than  ever ;  and  shall  together 
there,  clothed  in  white  robes,  delight  forever  to  praise  our  divine 
Redeemer,  and  strive  to  execute  all  his  holy  will. 

"  Then  let  us  forbear  to  complain, 
Because  she  is  gone  from  our  sight ; 
We  shall  soon  behold  her  again, 
With  new,  and  redoubled  delight." 

While  those  who  remain  may  repeat  the  appropriate  stanza : — 

"  With  us  her  name  shall  live. 
Through  long  succeeding  years  ; 
Embalmed  with  all  our  hearts  can  give, 
Oar  praises  and  our  tears. 

Elmira  W.  after  completing  her  studies  at  the  Cold  Spring,  Cape 
May,  Academy,  pursued  other  and  higher  branches  in  select  schools 
in  Philadelphia.  She  then  engaged  in  teaching,  and  was  a  suc- 
cessful teacher  until  she  married.  She  was  useful  in  life,  and 
peaceful  in  death.  The  following  obituary  notice  of  her  is  taken 
from  the  Star-Clipper,  Traer,  Iowa,  of  October  8,  1886. 

A  NOBLE  LIFE  CLOSED. 
« 

One  of  the  noblest  lives  with  which  it  has  ever  been  our  profit 
to  come  in  contact — that  of  Mrs.  D.  L.  Hughes — closed  last  Tues- 
day evening.     The  end  was  expected  by  herself  and  family,  as  she 


119. 

had  been  steadily  declining  for  several  weeks.  It  was  the  close  of 
a  perfect  life,  just  at  the  close  of  a  perfect  day.  Let  us  look  at  the 
story  of  the  I'fe,  hastily  prepared  : 

Elmira  Williams  Hughes  was  born  January  i,  1820,  at  Cape 
May,  New  Jersey.  She  was  dedicated  publicly  to  God  in  infancy 
by  her  pious  mother  in  baptism,  and  she  was  prayerfully  trained 
up  for  Jesus.  She  never  knew  when  she  was  without  convictions. 
They  were  so  deep  in  her  early  childhood  that  she  wished  she  had 
been  born  a  heathen  so  that  she  might  have  escaped  the  heavy  re 
sponsibility  that  rested  upon  her  in  deciding  to  be  a  christian.  She 
had  very  early  an  intense  desire  to  be  a  christian.  In  her  four- 
teenth year  she  made  an  intelligent  profession  of  her  faith  in  Christ 
and  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Cold  Spring,  Cape 
May  County,  New  Jersey,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  her  brother- 
in-law.  Rev.  Moses  Williamson.  She  loved  the  bible,  secret  prayer, 
the  church  and  Sabbath  school,  and  above  all  her  dear  Lord  and 
Saviour.  She  now  at  once  consecrated  herself  unreservedly  to  the 
Lord  and  became  a  worker  in  his  vineyard.  She  taught  in  the 
Sabbath  school,  often  led  the  smging  in  the  Sabbath  school  and  in 
the  prayer  meeting,  and  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  choir  of 
the  church.  She  started  the  first  missionary  society  in  the  Sab- 
bath school  at  her  native  place.  Cape  Island,  N.  J.,  which  we 
believe  has  continued  until  now,  and  she  carried  out  this  mission- 
ary spirit  in  prayer,  word  and  deed  in  all  her  after  life.  She  was  a 
successful  teacher  in  her  own  private  day  school  and  in  the  Cape 
May  academy,  and  thus  helped  train  up  many  for  usefulness  who 
have  called  her  "blessed."  On  October  19,  1843,  she  was  joined 
in  marriage  to  Rev.  Daniel  L.  Hughes,  a  few  months  after  his 
graduation  from  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton,  N.  J. 
Their  united  desire  at  first  was  to  go  as  foreign  missionaries  to 
China  in  company  with  such  beloved  brethren  as  Revs.  Lowrie, 
Happer,  Culbertson,  Lloyd  and  Brown,  But  her  frail  health  rend- 
ering it  impracticable,  they  next  determined  to  devote  their  lives 
to  the  home  missionary  work,  as  God  in  his  providence  might 
direct.  This  purpose,  with  its  various  lights  and  shades  of  mis- 
sionary life,  they  have  been  enabled  through  Divine  grace  to  carry 
out  for  the  past  forty-three  years.  In  all  these  missionary  labors 
Mrs.  Hughes  was  always  ready  cheerfully  to  do  or  bear  her  part 


120. 

according  to  her  ability.  It  can  be  said  of  her  as  of  one  in  Bible 
times  :  "  She  hath  done  what  she  could."  She  was  always  a  co- 
worker with  her  husband  in  carrying  forward  Sabbath  schools^ 
Bible  classes,  prayer  meetings,  missionary  societies  and  pastoral 
work,  as  also  in  encouraging  him  to  faithful  pulpit  labor.  She  was 
always  willing  to  give  of  her  substance  too,  as  well  as  to  pray,  for 
the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  her  blessed  Redeemer.  She 
was  a  diligent  reader,  not  only  of  the  Bible,  but  of  the  choicest  and 
best  books  by  human  authors,  such  as  those  of  Baxter,  Doddridge, 
Edwards,  Owen,  as  also  of  our  best  modern  writers.  She  kept  up 
with  the  current  literature  of  the  day,  and  was  always  ready  to 
every  good  word  and  work.  She  was  an  intelligent,  conscientious 
and  devoted  christian  ;  yet  she  was  always  afraid  of  mere  theory,, 
or  insincerity  and  deception  about  religion,  and  eschewed  anything 
like  show  or  self-praise  about  her  religious  attainments,  and  desired 
only  that  the  grace  of  God  might  in  her  case  be  magnified.  She 
held  firmly  in  her  religious  belief  to  the  doctrinal  standards  and 
ecclesiastical  polity  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  She  was  the 
mother  of  eight  children,  five  of  whom — two  sons  and  three  daught- 
ers— with  her  aged  husband  and  eleven  grand-children  survive  to 
mourn  their  loss.  She  was  a  good  wife  and  a  faithful  mother  as 
well  as  a  devoted  christian.  "  Her  children  arise  up  and  call  her 
blessed ;  her  husband  also,  and  he  praiseth  her."  "  Favor  is  de- 
ceitful and  beauty  is  vain  ;  but  a  woman  that  feareth  the  Lord,  she 
shall  be  praised."  Mrs.  Hughes  was  gifted  with  considerable 
poetic  taste  and  talent,  and  from  her  earliest  years  to  the  close  of 
her  long,  eventful  and  useful  life,  many  of  her  compositions  were 
acceptable  to  both  her  friends  in  private  and  to  the  religious  press, 
and  often  they  were  said  to  be  beautiful.  Her  health  since  child- 
hood has  been  frail,  but  during  the  last  twenty-five  years  she  has 
been  almost  a  constant  sufferer  from  a  chronic  bronchial  cough 
and  imperfect  digestion.  Yet  such  were  always  her  ambition, 
energy  and  conscientiousness  that  she  would  waste  no  time,  neglect 
no  duty  and  yield  to  no  pressure  unless  from  positive  necessity. 
Her  death  was  as  her  life.  She  struggled  to  do  her  duty  in  pre- 
serving her  life  and  to  keep  up  her  strength  to  the  very  last.  Once 
she  said  to  her  husband :  "  I  am  very  weak."  He  replied  that 
couplet  is  sweet — "When  I  am  weak,  then  am  I  strong;    Grace 


131. 

IS  my  shield  and  Christ  my  song."  She  said  she  had  been  call- 
ing to  her  mind  several  precious  passages  of  scripture,  and  that 
Jesus  never  before  seemed  so  tender  and  loving.  Her  husband  re- 
plied, ''  He  is  our  all  in  all."  Again  telling  her  that  he  was  going 
to  write  to  her  older  sister  that  day,  October  i,  she  said  :  "  Give 
her  my  lovp  and  tell  her  I  am  near  home."  She  continued  in  her 
full  mind  during  all  her  last  eight  weeks'  special  sickness  with 
resignation,  patience,  trust  and  hope.  On  Sabbath  afternoon,  Oc- 
tober 3,  she  struggled  heroically  for  breath  and  life.  She  said : 
"  Give  me  air.  I  want  all  the  air  that  I  can  get."  The  windows 
and  doors  were  immediately  thrown  open  and  her  bed  placed 
directly  in  front  of  the  current.  She  was  then  fanned  hard  for  two 
hours.  God  was  pleased  that  pleasant  Sabbath  afternoon  to  send 
us  a  strong  and  most  delightful  western  wind.  As  she  breathed  it 
she  exclaimed :  "  How  sweet  to  breathe  God's  air !  O  how  de- 
lightful that  breath !"  On  Monday  afternoon  in  taking  leave  of 
her  children  that  were  present  there  was  a  most  tender  and  im- 
pressive scene.  She  threw  her  frail  arms  around  them,  expressed 
her  deep  love  for  them  and  then  gave  them  each  a  most  wise,  pious 
and  appropriate  exhortation  to  live  above  the  world  and  for  Jesus 
and  heaven — telling  them  to  read  the  Bible  daily,  saying  it  had 
been  her  chart  in  life  and  was  now  her  support  in  death,  and  to 
keep  up  religion  in  the  family  and  in  the  church.  All  this  she 
said  in  a  distinct  and  earnest  voice  which  just  before  was  almost 
inarticulate.  They  felt  that  this  was  the  last  work  of  her  life  and 
that  God  had  given  her  special  strength  for  it.  She  had  been  use- 
ful and  glorified  God  during  a  long  life,  and  now  she  bore  her 
testimony  for  Jesus,  and  to  the  value  of  true  religion  in  her  death — 
and  her  work  on  earth  was  finished.  After  this  she  was  exhausted 
and  speechless  and  quietly  rested.  On  Tuesday  forenoon,  Octo- 
ber 5,  although  apparently  speechless,  yet  her  husband  thinking 
that  while  he  was  talking  she  understood  it,  which  she  said  she  did, 
he  asked  her :  "  Can  you  rest  on  Jesus  ?"  She  replied  distinctly, 
"  O  yes."  He  again  asked  "  Is  Jesus  all  your  hope  ?"  She  re- 
plied faintly,  '"  All  my  hope."  These  were  her  last  words.  He 
then  said  "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  his 
saints."  She  then  after  a  few  convulsive  efforts  between  life  and 
death  with  closed  eyes  lay  for  six  hours  calm  and  motionless  ex- 


123. 

cept  her  heavy  breathing  which  grew  constantly  less  until  at  5.30 
P.  M.,  just  as  the  bright  sun  was  setting,  at  the  age  of  sixt>^-six 
years,  nine  months,  and  five  days,  she  sweetly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus 
to  awake  in  his  likeness  and  to  behold  him  as  the  sun  of  righteous- 
ness in  glory.  Those  of  her  relatives  and  friends  who  are  left 
behind  mourn  her  absence  ;  but  she  was  ripe  for  glory,  and  their 
earthly  loss  is  her  eternal,  unspeakable  gain.  She  rests  from  her 
labors,  and  her  works  do  follow  her. 

No  one  can  estimate  the  good  such  lives  as  that  so  peacefully 
closed  accomplish  in  the  world.  Mankind  is  bettered  by  them. 
Christianity  is  strengthened.  Noue  but  a  christian  can  pass  so 
many  years  of  suffering  with  such  fortitude.  It  seems  that  Prov- 
idence designed  that  her  mind  should  not  be  weakened  by  physi- 
cal frailty,  that  the  christian  graces  might  be  exemplified  and  His 
xause  be  aided. 

The  funeral  service  was  preached  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Dickey,  at  the 
Congregational  Church  yesterday  at  3  P.  M.,  and  the  service  was 
largely  attended.  He  spoke  from  the  text :  "  Precious  in  the  sight 
of  the  Lord  is  the  death  of  His  saints."  The  body  was  taken  on 
the  evening  passenger  train  to  Vinton,  and  interred  in  the  ceme- 
tery there.     Rev.  E.  H.  Avery  conducting  a  short  service. 

We  cannot  close  this  article  better  than  to  append  the  following 
beautiful  lines  on  the  subject  of  death,  written  by  Mrs.  Hughes 
some  time  ago : 

I  know  'tis  better  to  depart 

But  how,  or  when,  or  where 
Shall  cease  the  throbbings  of  my  heart, 

I  need  not,  should  not  care. 

The  spoiler  may  with  secret  smart, 

As  slowly  work,  as  sure ; 
Or  with  keen  eye,  and  well-aimed  dart, 

Defy  attempts  to  cure. 

It  may  be  when  my  hopes  are  bright, 

And  joy  a  constant  guest, 
Or  when  a  host  of  ills  unite 

To  make  the  soul  depressed. 

It  may  be  in  my  much-loved  home, 

While  friends  surround  my  bed ; 
Or  by  the  way.  or  where  I  roam. 

The  arrow  shall  be  sped. 


I 


123. 

Since  he  who  wrought  this  mortal  frame, 

And  gave  the  living  soul 
The  means,  the  time,  the  place,  doth  name. 

At  His  supreme  control. 

I'd  trust  His  wisdom  and  His  love, 

Nor  yield  to  doubt  and  fear ; 
But  borne  on  wings  of  faith  above, 

Would  "  read  my  title  clear — 

To  mansions  '  of  eternal  bliss. 

No  tears,  no  sin,  no  pain  ! 
How.  when,  or  where,  with  hopes  like  this, 

"  For  me  to  die  is  gain." 

And  yet  the  spirit  vainly  dreads 

To  leave  its  earthly  mould  ; 
To  feel  the  struggling  heart-strings  break, 

The  curdling  blood  grow  cold. 

To  leave  the  body  in  the  tomb 

To  moulder  and  decay, 
Tho'  knowing  it  is  sown  to  bloom 

At  the  appointed  day, 

•  Rise,  rise,  my  soul !  can  He  not  save 

Who  took  from  death  its  sting? 
And  Where's  thy  victory,  boasting  grave, 
Since  sanctified  by  Him  ? 

"  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread  " — 

Thus  are  we  taught  to  pray, 
So  dying  grace  is  not  lor  life. 

But  for  a  dying  day. 

«  As  His  dear  breast  supports  our  bead 

In  that  last  hour  of  strife, 
With  wonder  we'll  adore  that  love 
We  failed  to  trust  in  life. 

The  Editor  of  the  Cape  May  Wave,  on  hearing  of  her  death, 
wrote  October  i6,  1886:  "Mrs,  Hughes  was  a  woman  of  excel- 
lent character,  and  her  life  was  one  of  exemplary  piety.  She  pos- 
sessed unusual  literary  ability,  and  contributed  to  the  current 
religious  literature  of  the  day  many  valuable  papers." 

The  Editor  of  the  Star  of  the  Cape,  in  whose  family  Mrs. 
Hughes  and  her  husband  spent  the  winter  of  1885-86,  thus  wrote 
October  15,  1886  :  "  Though  not  altogether  unexpected,  the  news 
of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  wife  of  Rev.  Daniel  L, 
Hughes,   Traer,    Iowa,  causes  much  sadness   among   Cape   May 


124. 

friends.  Leaving  the  rigors  of  the  Western  dimate  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hughes  spent  all  last  winter  at  Cape  May.  Mrs.  Hughes  was  as 
lovely  a  christian  woman  as  ever  honored  our  acquaintance.  Her 
intellect  was  bright  and  cultured,  and  many  literary  efforts  and 
poems  of  great  merit  emanated  from  her  pen.  To  her  devoted 
husband  she  was  a  spiritual  helpmate,  and  lonely  enough  must  he 
be  now  that  she  has  passed  to  the  brighter  shore,  where  afflictions 
come  not,  and  joy  eternal  reigns.  Mrs.  Hughes  was  a  sister  to 
Mrs.  Williamson  and  to  Mr.  Albert  Hughes,  of  this  city.  The 
bereft  husband  may  be  assured  that  sincere  sympathy  is  felt  for 
him  in  his  loss  of  the  companionship  of  one  who  had  so  many 
years  shared  with  him  life's  joys  and  life's  sorrows." 

As  a  housekeeper,  Mrs.  Hughes  was  among  the  excellent  women 
in  intelligent  cooking,  cleanliness,  order,  good  taste,  economy,  and 
industry.  The  heart  of  her  husband  safely  trusted  in  her :  for  she 
looked  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household ;  and  she  taught  each  of 
her  daughters  to  be  a  good  housekeeper,  like  herself.  She  was 
very  fond  of  flowers,  and  she  cultivated  them  with  tender  care. 
Every  year  under  her  faithful  training  they  bore  evidence  of  her 
skill  and  fidelity  by  their  variety,  richness,  and  beauty.  Her 
climbing  Rose  which  she  trailed  up  on  our  front  piazza,  was  said 
to  be  the  choicest  in  Tama  County.  As  a  writer,  Mrs.  Hughes 
wielded  both  a  rapid  and  a  willing  pen  all  her  life,  from  her  youth 
up.  She  was  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  all  her  duties.  And 
although  an  invalid  she  always  tried  to  do  all  the  good  she  could, 
according  to  her  ability  and  opportunity.  She  wrote  and  pub- 
lished a  great  many  articles  in  poetry  and  prose  on  a  variety  of 
subjects,  both  secular  and  religious,  and  addressed  them  to  all 
classes — to  the  young  and  old — to  the  afflicted  and  bereaved — to 
the  saint  and  sinner.  She  wrote  in  behalf  of  Temperance,  of  the 
Indian,  of  the  Negro,  and  of  Missions  both  Home  and  Foreign. 
She  had  a  facility  and  adaptedness  in  writing  for,  and  in  interesting 
especially  the  young.  Besides  many  pieces  of  poetry  and  prose 
published,  Mrs.  Hughes  left  an  unpublished  book  of  poetry — an 
extended  diary  of  travels — and  several  long  treatises  or  narratives 
in  prose  on  useful  subjects,  read  during  her  life  to  interest  and 
profit  the  children  and  youth  under  her  care. 

Of  her  pubHshed  writings  I  will  here  record  a  few  pieces  only 


I 


125. 

•of  her  prose  anJ  poetry  that  seem  to  come  appropriately  to  hand, 
and  which  I  hope  may  be  useful.  The  first  prose  article  is  her 
Colorado  letter.  She  frequently  wrote  letters  of  travel  for  different 
papers.  When  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
met  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  May,  1874,  Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson,  D.D., 
the  Synodical  Missionary  of  Colorado  Territory,  who  resided  at 
Denver,  extended  a  cordial  invitation  to  as  many  ministers  and 
elders  and  their  wives,  as  desired  it,  to  make  an  excursion  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  at  the  close  of  the  General  Assembly,  to  do  so 
under  his  leadership.  "  My  wife  and  I  "  joined  this  excursion,  and 
found  it  one  of  great  pleasure  and  profit.  Mrs.  Hughes  gave  her 
description  of  it  in  a  letter  dated,  Manitou,  Col.  Ter.,  June  17,  1874, 
and  it  was  published  in  the  Vinton  Eagle,  Iowa,  July  i,  1874,  as 
follows : 

Dear  Eagle  : — So  much  has  been  written  in  regard  to  trips 
across  the  plains,  that  I  shall  not  burden  your  pinions  with  buffalo, 
antelope,  deer,  prairie  dog  towns,  and  underground  houses.  As 
you  may  know,  after  reaching  Denver,  the  excursionists  took  an 
extended  tour  through  Clear  Creek  canyon,  to  Golden  and  to 
Idaho  hot  springs,  tbence  to  Georgetown,  the  highest  mountain 
town — back  to  Idaho  Springs ;  thence  across  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains to  Central  City  and  Blackhawk  ;  thence  to  Rollins  ;  to  Bould- 
er, through  the  Boulder  Canyon,  and  back  again  to  Denver. 
Resting  there  two  days,  we  expected  to  leave  for  Colorado  Springs 
{j6  miles  south  of  Denver)  and  Manitou,  when  we  were  informed 
that  through  the  influence  of  General  W.  J.  Palmer,  President  of 
the  Denver  &  Rio  Grande  Railroad,  there  had  been  a  special  train 
provided  for  the  excursionists,  and  we  were  to  be  passed  to  Pueblo 
(42  miles  south  of  Colorado  Springs)  and  returned,  free.  The  road 
is  a  narrow  gauge,  and  is  remarkably  smooth.  We  traveled  at  the 
rate  of  forty  miles  an  hour.  There  were  three  car  loads  of  us. 
After  the  long  trip  together  we  were  well  acquainted,  visiting  back 
and  forth  strolling  out  to  gather  curiosities  or  flowers,  whenever 
the  cars  stopped ;  and  as  we  were  well  rested  and  improved  m 
health,  a  more  sociable,  cheerful,  ^'S  well  as  intelligent  company, 
you  can  scarcely  imagine. 

The  scenery  is  varied  between  Denver  and  Pueblo — hills  and 
plains,  mountains   and  valleys.      Very    little  rain   falls    in    these 


regions,  but  the  many  clear,  beautiful  streams  fTowing  from  the 
mountains  are  a  blessing  to  the  thirsty  land.  Every  farmer  has- 
ditches  through  his  fields,  about  25  feet  apart ;  and  these,  commu- 
nicating with  the  streams,  are  filled ;  and  they  tell  us  it  is  not 
necessary  to  let  the  water  cover  the  surface,  as  it  spreads  under 
the  soil,  and  refreshes  and  gives  vitality  to  the  roots.  The  wheat 
looked  fine  in  Southern  Colorado,  but  corn  seemed  backward.  The 
flowers  on  the  wild  land  were  of  almost  endless  variety ;  but  the 
large  fields  of  cactus,  in  full  bloom,  seemed  to  elicit  the  greatest 
praise. 

Pueblo,  the  oldest  Colorado  town,  is  situated  on  both  sides  of 
the  Arkansas  River,  and  has  about  5,000  inhabitants,  though  I 
belieye  they  claim  more.  We  found  it  exceedingly  warm  there, 
after  breathing,  so  long,  the  mountain  air.  The  river  is  pleasant, 
running  through  the  town ;  but  from  the  appearance  of  things  I 
should  judge  it  to  be  treacherous,  at  some  seasons.  Colorado 
Springs  is  the  name  of  the  county  town  of  El  Paso  county,  while 
the  springs  really  are  at  Manitou,  five  miles  distant.  We  were  met 
by  coaches  at  Colorado  Springs,  on  our  return  from  Pueblo,  and 
were  conveyed  to  Manitou  the  same  evening. 

Manitou  had  no  improvements  until  about  two  years  ago ;  now 
there  are  two  large,  excellent  hotels — the  Manitou  and  the  Cliff 
House.  The  latter  is  just  opened,  and  was  both  christened  and 
consecrated  by  our  company,  as  you  shall  see.  There  are,  also, 
several  smaller  boarding-houses,  and  a  number  of  private  resi- 
dences, among  the  latter  that  of  Grace  Greenwood,  who  is  ex- 
pected soon  to  occupy  it.  It  is  said  that  when  Col.  Fremont 
discovered  these  springs,  he  found  many  Indian  trinkets  in  and 
around  them,  as  offerings  to  the  Great  Spirit  of  Manitou,  or  the 
Healing  Waters.  One  is  said  to  be  a  sulphur  spring,  but  it  is 
"  doubtfully  weak,  most  persons  think.  There  are  several  iron 
springs — two  as  strong  as  any  of  which  the  older  States  can  boast. 
The  soda  springs  are  almost  without  number :  we  come  upon  them 
in  every  ramble,  as  we  do  upon  the  streams  and  waterfalls.  The 
most  famous,  however,  is  the  large  one  near  the  Cliflf  House.  It 
boils  and  bubbles,  and  runs  over  the  high  stone  inclosure,  forming 
a  little  rill,  emptying  into  the  brook.  Some  who  care  not  for  its 
medicinal  virtues,  mix  it  with  lemon  juice,  and  have  a  delicious 
effervescent  drink,  fresh  from  the  spring. 


i2i!r. 

"Everywhere  we  go,  Pike's  Peak  is  the  one  great  object  of  ad- 
miration. As  you  approach  the  mountains,  it  stands  in  proud,  cold 
grandeur,  towering  above  them  all.  It  seems  vain  too,  constantly 
changing,  as  if  to  attract  attention — hiding  its  head  beneath  the 
clouds,  or  shining,  snow-clad,  in  the  sunlif  ht.  At  other  times,  its 
lower  part,  visible  above  the  other  mountains,  will  be  enveloped  in 
clouds,  so  that  its  summit  appears  as  if  floating  in  the  sky.  One, 
I  do  not  say  who,  delivered  an  impromptu  on  this  scene,  thus : 

Pike's  Peak  takes  a  freak, 

And  all  its  base  enshrouds^ 
While  its  sleet,  snow-capped  peak 

Seems  floating  in  the  clouds. 

The  summit  of  Pike's  Peak  is  14,386  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea. 

Besides  Pike's  Peak,  the  principal  objects  of  interest  are  "  The 
Garden  of  the  gods,"  Monument  Park,  Glen  Eyrie,  with  its  beauti- 
ful canyon,  the  Falls  of  the  Fountain,  the  Ute  Pass,  and  Cheyenne 
canyon.  Our  company  went  first  to  Glen  Eyrie,  and  those  who 
were  able  went  up  the  canyon,  and,  among  other  curiosities,  saw 
"  The  Devil's  Punch  Bowl,"  a  huge  rocky  basin,  into  which  the 
falls,  many  feet  above,  dash  with  great  violence.  Gen.  Palmer's 
residence  is  at  Glen  Eyrie,  and  Mrs.  P.  accompanied  the  ladies  up 
the  canyon,  while  her  mother,  Mrs.  Mellon,  kindly  entertained  us 
weaker  ones  who  remained,  providing  us  a  cup  of  tea,  and  refresh- 
ments, served  in  the  daintiest  style.  The  architecture  of  the  house 
is  novel,  and  appropriate  to  its  location,  amid  the  fantastical  rock 
formations,  the  waterfalls  and  groves.  Everywhere  within,  some- 
thing curious  met  the  eye.  Elk  and  deer  horns  were  tastefully 
arranged  in  the  midst  of  evergreens.  Over  the  breast-work  of  the 
mantel  piece,  you  find  a  buffalo  skin,  with  its  enormous  head  com- 
ing suddenly  out  as  if  ready  to  leap  upon  you  ;  an  easy  chair  was 
formed  of  one  of  these,  the  legs  seeming  to  have  been  taken  off  at 
the  first  joint,  and  the  remainder  of  them  forming  the  legs  of  the 
chair  ;  while  the  skin  formed  the  back  and  seat  and  its  huge  head 
with  glass  eyes  answered  to  rest  your  limbs  upon.  Stuffed  birds, 
fossils,  and  a  cabinet  of  specimens  of  ore,  &c.,  coats  of  arms,  bronze 
figures,  a  fine  library,  exquisite  paintings,  rich  furniture,  and  you 


have  so  much  of  art  and  nature  commingled,  as  to  redeem  it  from' 
stately  stiffness  on  the  one  hand,  or  wildness  on  the  other. 

Next  we  visited  the  "  Garden  of  the  gods."  Language  is  dumb^ 
when  we  attempt  to  describe  what  must  be  seen  to  be  appreciated. 
If  the  West  develops  further,  we  must  add  some  other  words  to 
our  vocabulary — "grand,"  "beautiful,"  and  even  "magnificent"  are 
worn  out,  and  are  not  able  to  express  all  we  see.  You  enter  the 
Garden  between  two  chains  of  yellowish  brown  rocks,  800  feet 
high  ;  while  at  the  extreme  end,  just  in  front  of  you,  the  walls  of 
rock  are  white.  On  every  side  you  behold  pillars,  monuments, 
castles  and  almost  anything  else  your  vivid  imagination  may  con- 
jure up,  from  20  to  800  feet  high.  Many  of  these  rocky  pedestals 
have  huge  figures  on  the  top,  which  really  look  like  relics  of 
heathen  mythology — hence  its  name,  "  Garden  of  the  gods."  Some 
of  the  rocky  walls  have  openings  like  gothic  windows,  the  sky 
showing  through,  and  with  the  spires  rising  here  and  there — one 
has  the  name  of  the  Cathedral.  Many  climbed  to  the  top  of  this 
up  the  natural  stairway,  back  of  broken  rocks.  The  prospect,, 
they  said,  they  never  could  forget,  while  life  lasted.  Mr.  H  and  a 
number  of  other  gentlemen,  and  a  few  ladies  entered  a  cave  through 
a  hole  in  a  rock,  only  large  enough  to  admit  one,  and  found  them- 
selves, after  ascending  a  few  feet,  in  a  room  15  to  20  feet  broad  and 
100  feet  long,  with  a  ceiling  100  feet  high.  Some  of  our  best 
singers  were  of  the  company,  and  the  effect,  as  "  Rock  of  Ages  " 
echoed  through  those  sounding  arches,  can  be  better  imagined 
than  described. 

At  this  point  our  party  separated,  one  coach  returning  to  the 
hotel,  and  several  others  going  to  the  mouth  of  Cheyenne  canyon, 
with  its  rocky  walls  hundreds  of  feet  above  them  _:  by  a  footpath 
they  ascended,  crossing  the  stream  fifteen  times  on  rough  foot- 
bridges, often  feeling  the  spray  of  the  waterfalls.  But  one  gentle- 
man and  two  young  ladies  ascended  the  topmost  rock  to  gain  a 
view  of  seven  successive  waterfalls.  They  only  had  a  footing  the 
width  of  the  hand — smooth  rock — to  cling  to,  and  a  perpendicular 
precipice  of  500  feet  below  them. 

The  third  party  started  on  ponies  for  the  ascent  of  Pike's  Peak, 
and  did  not  return  until  noon  of  the  next  day.  They  had  blankets, 
and  slept  out.     They  had  to  leave  their  horses  about  two  miles 


129^. 

from  the  summit,  and  ascended  amid  broken  rock  and  snow,  often 
upon  their  hands  and  knees.  One  gent  lost  his  gloves,  and  he 
suffered  greatly  from  having  his  hands  so  much  in  the  snow,  and 
fears  they  are  frozen.  They  all  seemed  very  subdued  when  they 
returned,  though  so  enthusiastic  when  they  started.  They  said 
the  trip  would  do  for  a  life  time.  It  is  said  that  Anna  Dickinson 
ascended  the  Peak — the  first  if  not  the  only  lady  who  has  made  the 
ascent. 

We  have  visited  the  "  Falls  of  the  Fountain  "  in  Ute  Pass.  These 
are  about  fifty  feet  high,  and  rush  and  roar  like  a  second  Niagara, 

E.  W.  H. 

Her  second  prose  article  selected  and  which  was  published  in 
the  Presbyterian  Banner,  Pa.,  is  "Abounding  Grace  Forbids 
Continuance  in  Sin." 

When  I  consider  all  that  God  has  done  for  me,  how  can  I  sin 
against  him  ?  He  has  been  mindful  of  me  from  my  earliest  in- 
fancy. He  gave  me  a  pious  mother ;  her  prayers  and  instructions 
were  brought  home  to  my  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit.  I  had  a  faith- 
ful Sabbath  school  teacher,  who  spoke  to  me  at  times  with  feeling 
about  my  soul.  She  being  naturally  reserved,  I  could  see  that  she 
struggled  to  overcome  her  timidity  for  my  good ;  her  holy  ex- 
ample, as  well  as  her  efforts,  was  blessed  to  my  soul.  Kind 
friends  sometimes  urged  me  to  secure  my  eternal  interests  and 
prayed  with  me ;  this  arrested  me  when  I  had  grown  careless.  My 
dear  pastor  was  faithful,  not  only  in  the  pulpit,  but  at  the  Bible 
class,  and  in  his  visits  ;  through  his  instrumentality  I  was  enabled, 
I  trust,  to  decide  to  be  on  the  Lord's  side.  Why  was  not  I  born 
in  a  heathen  land  where  I  never  would  have  known  the  way  to 
salvation  ?  Or  why  was  I  not  left  to  myself  when  I  resisted  the 
Holy  Spirit? 

After  so  much  loving  kindness  and  condescension  in  the  gift  of  a 
Saviour,  and  granting  me  his  Spirit  to  enable  me  to  receive  and 
rest  upon  him  alone  for  Salvation,  how  can  I  sin  against  him  ? 
Since  I  have  had  a  hope  through  grace,  I  have  still  had  great  cause 
for  gratitude.  I  have  been  kindly  guided  :  "  This  is  the  way,  walk 
ye  in  it."  When  ready  to  faint  through  the  temptations  of  the 
adversary,  the  blessed  promises  have  encouraged  me.     "  He  giveth 


130. 

power  to  the  faint,  and  to  them  that  have  no  might  he  increaseth 
strength."  His  kindness  and  sympathy  have  comforted  me.  "He 
remembereth  that  we  are  but  dust."  "  He  has  suffered,  being 
tempted  that  he  may  be  able  to  succor  those  that  are  tempted." 
When  the  world  has  endeavored  to  lure  me,  and  I  feared  to  bring 
reproach  on  the  cause  which  I  had  espoused,  I  have  been  strength- 
ened by  the  promise,  "  The  Lord  shall  preserve  thy  going  out  and 
thy  coming  in  from  this  time  forth,  even  forever."  When  bowed 
down  with  affhction  for  the  loss  of  those  near  and  dear,  I  have 
been  enabled  to  say:  "He  doeth  all  things  well;"  and  have  felt 
that  I  could  be  happy  in  God,  if  all  things  earthly  were  removed. 
"  What  a  privilege  is  this,"  says  the  good  Mr.  Newton,  "to  possess 
God  in  all  things  while  we  have  them,  and  all  things  in  God  when 
they  are  taken  away  from  us."  When  racked  by  disease  and  pain, 
I  have  felt  the  everlasting  arms  underneath  me,  to  support  me,  and 
so  have  borne  my  afflictions  joyfully;  yes,  have  even  considered 
them  blessings,  compared  with  all  that  earth  could  give,  without 
such  heavenly  consolation.  In  view  of  what  God  is  as  a  merciful 
Saviour,  filled  with  compassion  for  our  infirmities ;  and  who,  with 
the  temptation,  will  also  make  a  way  of  escape,  or  will  enable  to 
bear  it ;  and  in  remembrance  of  what  God  has  done  for  me,  and 
what  He  has  promised  for  the  future — to  be  my  God  forever  and 
ever,  to  guide  me  by  his  counsel,  and  afterward  receive  me  to 
glory,  how,  O  how  can  I  sin  against  Him  ? 

The  first  piece  of  her  poetry  that  I  quote  is  one,  among  others 
from  her  pen,  that  Mrs.  Rev.  McGinnes  admired  and  treasured  up, 
and  which  was  published  in  several  papers,  the  subject  of  which 
was: — 

OUR  AFFLICTIONS. 

"For  our  light  affliction,  which  is  but  for  a  moment,  worketh  for 
us  a  far  more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory." — 2  Cor.,  4:17, 

As  all  have  sinned  so  all  must  share 

In  sorrow  and  in  pain, 
But  since  all  we  are  called  to  bear 

Is  for  our  endless  gain, 
We'll  meekly  take  each  bitter  draught, 
Believing  it  with  blessings  fraught. 


131 


Our  griefs  are  lighter  than  our  guilt, 
Our  smiles  more  than  our  tears  ; 

O'er  each  abyss  a  way  is  built, 
And  hopes  are  more  than  fears ; 

So,  though  the  gulf  may  yawn  below. 

We'll  upward  look  and  onward  go. 

And  O  how  light  is  every  grief, 

And  trifling  every  care, 
Compared  with  Christ's,  when  for  relief. 

He  breathed  the  earnest  prayer : 
"  My  Father,  if  thy  will  it  be, 
May  this  dread  cup  now  pass  from  me." 

It  passed  not,  "  and  in  agony 

More  earnestly  He  prayed;" 
And  though  an  angel  hand  was  near. 

To  strengthen  and  to  aid. 
The  "  falling  "  drops  of  "  sweat "  were  found 
"  Great  drops  of  bipod  down  to  the  ground." 

"  But  for  a  moment "'  trials  last. 

Each  sorrow  brings  a  joy; 
Visions  of  glory  pure  and  bright 
Our  ravished  eyes  employ ; 
■  And  as  we  hail  each  rising  beam,, 
"  Grace  all  sufficient  "  is  our  theme. 

A  "glory  "  which  exceeds  all  thought, 

"  A  weight  of  glory  ' '  too  ; 
Not  gaudy  shadows  earthly-wrought 

And  transient  as  the  dew — 
A  substance  an  eternal  weight, 
Reserved  for  our  eternal  state. 

If  sorrow  thus  gives  birth  to  joy, 

I'd  not  Securely  rest. 
And  lazily  myself  enjoy 

In  a  soft  downy  nest ; 
But  have  my  God  disturb  my  ease, 
Just  how,  and  when,  and  where  be  please. 

And  as  the  eagle  fluttereth  o'er. 

And  beareth  on  her  wings 
Her  young,  enticing  them  to  soar, 

So  from  all  earthly  things 
May  God  allure  my  soul  away 
To  regions  of  unclouded  day. 

Whatever  ill  shall  me  betide. 

Or  what  of  earthly  good, 
I  could  not  if  I  would  decide. 


132. 

And  would  not  if  I  could  ; 
So  all  my  "  light  affliction  '   here 
But  fits  me  for  a  glorious  sphere. 

The  following  piece  of  her  published  poetry  has  been  admired 
by  several  persons,  on  : — 

THE  WARP  AND  WOOF  OF  LIFE. 

Threads  of  silver,  threads  of  gold, 

Stretched  across  the  lifetime  loom. 
When  we're  young,  and  when  we're  old, 

From  the  cradle  to  the  tomb. 
All  unbroken  threads  of  love 
From  our  Father's  hand  above. 

Time  the  weaver  fills  them  in. 

With  some  colors,  ever  bright, 
Yet  dark  stripes  of  woe  and  sin 

Mingle  with  the  shades  more  light. 
But  the  warp  doth  still  remain. 
Threads  of  gold  and  silver  chain. 

'Mid  the  hues  both  dark  and  light, 

Which  the  varied  woof  reveals, 
I  by  faith  would  keep  in  sight 

All  the  warp  the  woof  conceals — 
Threads  of  love  across  life's  loom, 
From  the  cradle  to  the  tomb. 

He  who,  with  a  skill  divine, 

Fills  the  shuttle,  well  may  know 
What  to  choose  for  me  and  mine. 

Through  the  warp  what  woof  should  go. 
I  would  thank  Him  for  the  gay, 
Come  the  somber  where  it  may. 

And  when  Time  his  work  has  done, 

Weaving  moments  into  hours, 
Days,  with  each  revolving  sun, 

Into  years,  with  all  his  powers — 
I'll  learn  in  Heaven's  own  perfect  light, 
Wliy  dark  shades  mingled  with  the  bright. 

Mrs.  Hughes,  as  already  stated,  had  a  true  Missionary  spirit, 
always,  in  behalf  of  both  Home  and  Foreign  Missions.  She  started 
a  Woman's  Missionary  Society  in  the  behalf  of  Foreign  Missions, 
in  the  Tranquilty  Church,  Traer,  Iowa,  of  which  her  husband  was 
pastor,  as  her  last  work  in  that  department.  She  was  elected  its 
first  president,  and  continued  as  such  for  four  years  until  she  was 


ISS 

•compelled  from  her  increasing  ill  health  to  resign.  She  gave  her 
last  ;^i.oo  to  it  in  payment  of  her  regular  subscription.  That 
Society  thus  started  is  still  kept  up  and  is  doing  good  work.  At 
the  request  of  the  Iowa  Woman's  Synodical  Missionary  Society, 
she  prepared  a  prose  article  on  the  text — "  The  Master  is  come  and 
calleth  for  thee,"  in  behalf  of  Foreign  Missions,  which  was  read 
with  approval  before  their  society  at  its  tenth  meeting,  held  in  the 
first  Westminster  Church,  Keokuk,  Iowa,  October  7,  1885.  She 
also  composed,  at  their  request,  a  piece  of  poetry  in  behalf  of  Home 
Missions,  which  was  read  with  commendation  as  "a  beautiful  home 
mission  hymn  "  at  their  Eighth  Annual  Meeting,  held  in  Cedar 
Rapids,  Iowa,  October  17,  1884,  and  published  on  page  41  in  their 
Eighth  Annual  Report.  We  quote  it  here.  She  being  dead  thus 
still  speaks, 

HOME  MISSION  HYMN. 


BY  MRS.  E.  W.  HUGHES. 

From  Western  snow-clad  mountains, 

From  hill  and  grove  and  plain  ; 
Where  leap  those  crystal  fountains 

To  reach  the  mighty  main — 
From  geyser  and  from  canyon, 

Ravine  and  rocky  height, 
Where  Beauty's  veiled  in  darkness, 

They  call  for  Gospel  light. 

Where  earth  yields  forth  at  pleasure 

Her  gold  and  precious  stone, 
They  sigh  for  heavenly  treasure. 

The  "  pearl  of  price  "  unknown. 
Here  error  reigns  in  darkness 

And  Satan  soweth  tares, 
While  Christian  youth  and  kinsmen 

Well  claim  our  fervent  prayers, 

The  crushed  but  struggling  freedman, 

In  his  great  hour  of  need. 
Entreats  for  Bible  teachers, 

That  he  may  learn  to  read. 
The  red  man  of  the  forest, 

Espies  the  dawning  ray 
And  waits  with  eager  longing 

To  see  the  perfect  day. 


134 

They  cry  from  flower-decked  prairie 

With  rivers  bold  and  grand, 
"  O!  preach  to  us  the  Gospel, 

Redeem  this  promised  land," 
With  all  thus  "  white  to  harvest  " 

And  wasting  in  the  field. 
While  laborers  few  and  fainting, 

We  will  the  sickle  wield. 

Where  giant  tree  and  geyser 

Their  Maker's  name  proclami. 
We'll  raise  the  Gospel  standard. 

And  preach  in  Jesus'  name. 
In  rocky  cliffs  and  mountains 

Where  oaths  and  curses  ring, 
The  answering  rocks  shall  echo 

God's  praises  while  we  sing. 

The  Sunny  South  shall  echo 

Our  answer  to  the  freed  ; 
"  We'll  send  the  precious  Gospel, 

Ye  shall  be  free  indeed." 
The  Indian  in  his  wigwam 

Shall  hear  the  Gospel  song, 
That  we  have  taught  his  children,  ' 

And  join  in  it  ere  long. 

We'll  plant  the  "  Rose  of  Sharon  " 

Where  prairie  flowers  grow  ; 
Where  flow  majestic  rivers. 

Shall  full  salvation  flow. 
'Till  all  of  every  nation. 

Who  here  a  home  have  found, 
Shall  spread  this  great  salvation 

To  earth's  remotest  bound. 

I  feel  like  imposing  upon  my  readers  one  more  piece  of  her 
poetry  that  has  just  met  my  eye,  although  specially  personal,  to 
show  her  pious  spirit  and  her  usual  method  of  training  her  dear 
children.  Her  husband  was  absent  from  home  attending  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia  in  Baltimore  in  October,  1855. 
Rev.  Dr.  David  McKinney,  the  editor  of  the  Presbyterian  Ban- 
ner AND  Advocate,  and  his  confidential  friend,  was  sitting  in  the 
pew  at  church  just  behind  him  when  he  received  a  letter  from  his 
wife  containing  this  piece  of  poetry.  Having  read  it,  he,  with  a 
smile,  passed  it  to  the  Doctor  to  read.  He  at  once  desired  to  re- 
tain and  use  it.     To  this  objections  were  made ;  but  the  Doctor, 


1^5. 

having  secured  the  consent  of  Mrs.  Hughes,  published  it  in  his 
paper  November  17,  1855,  -with  an  explanatory  note  in  brackets — 
thus : — 

[Our  importunity  prevailed  with  the  gentleman,  to  whom  this 
pleasing  epistle  was  addressed,  to  entrust  it  to  our  disposal.  It 
was  intended  by  the  author  for  only  the  private  eye.  It  is,  how- 
ever, not  the  worse,  but  really  the  better  for  that.] 

TO  MY  DEAR,  ABSENT  HUSBAND. 

O,  think  of  me  at  twilight,  love, 

When  the  dews  of  evening  fall. 
And  our  children's  eyelids  heavy  grow, 

As  they  gather  round  me,  all ; 

As  baby  my  worn  cheek  doth  press. 

And  fain  would  slumber  there. 
And  darhng  Ella,  in  undress, 

Kneels  by  my  side  in  prayer; 

And  WilHe  begs  that  he  may  stay 

To  count  his  numbers  o'er, 
Or  learn  some  pretty  Scripture  verse, 

Or  hear  some  tale  of  yore. 

O,  think  of  me  at  twilight,  love, 

When  fever  burns  their  brow ; 
J^one  but  mamma,  or  dear  papa, 

Has  power  to  soothe  them  now. 

O,  think  of  me  at  twilight,  love, 

That  hour  we  loved  to  rove, 
When  hopes  were  bright,  and  cares  were  few, 

On  the  beach,  or  in  the  grove. 

Now  my  cheeks  are  wan  and  pale,  love, 

And  my  brow  oft  knit  with  care  ; 
O  think  of  me  at  that  loved  hour, 

And  remember  me  in  prayer. 

For,  O,  an  hourly  task  have  I, 

A  task  of  love,  and  joy, 
That  well  might  fill  an  angel's  heart, 

Or  seraphs'  powers  employ. 

To  mould,  and  train  immortal  minds, 

Is  to  a  mother  given  ; 
To  fit  lor  usefulness  on  earth,  ^ 

And  endless  bliss  in  Heaven. 


f36> 

Join  me  in  prayer,  at'  twiliglit,  love, 

For  the  Spirit's  saving  grace, 
That  truth  on  their  young  hearts  impressed", 

Time  never  may  erase. 

That  when  God  makes  his  jewels  up, 

And  earthly  joys  are  riven, 
We  each  may  say,  "  Lord,  here  am  I, 

With  the  children  thou  hast  given." 

At  Traer,  Iowa,  ^une  17,  1886,  Mrs.  Hughes  wrote  out  and: 
properly  executed  her  last  Will  and  Testament.  The  preamble^ 
manifesting  the  soundness  of  her  faith,  runs  thus  : — "  I,  Elmira  W. 
Hughes,  of  Traer,  Tama  county,  Iowa,  do  acknowledge  God  as  my 
Creator,  Preserver,  and  Benefactor ;  the  Guide  of  my  youth,  and 
the  Hope  of  my  riper  years.  I  acknowledge  His  Son,  Jesus  Christ,, 
as  my  Redeemer ;  the  Holy  Spirit  as  my  sanctifier,  and  would  thus 
leave  my  testimony  to  the  Triune  Jehovah  as  faithful  to  his  prom- 
ises, and  would  trust  Him  to  be  a  covenant  keeping  God  to  me 
and  to  mine  in  all  future  generations.  By  his  grace  alone  I  shall 
dwell  in  those  mansions  Christ  has  gone  to  prepare.  I  have  hope 
also  of  a  glorious  resurrection  through  my  Redeemer,  and  trust 
that  '  after  my  skin  worms  destroy  this  body  yet  in  my  flesh  I  shall 
see  God.' "  After  this  she  disposed  of  all  her  property,  real  and 
personal,  in  minute  detail,  and  with  nice  discrimination  and  con- 
cientious  fidelity. 

Mrs.  Hughes  had  an  affectionate  and  confiding  disposition,  and 
she  drew  these  qualities  ot  soul  out  of  all  others  who  associated  or 
corresponded  with  her,  whether  relatives,  friends,  or  strangers. 

After  her  death,  our  oldest  son,  William  W.  Hughes,  Esq.,  (the 
only  child  absent  from  the  funeral,  because  not  reached  in  Dakota 
either  by  telegram  or  letter  until  too  late),  thus  wrote  from  Ros- 
coe,  D.  T.,  October  11,  1886:  "My  dear  Father,  I  received  your 
addressed  letter  from  Lou,  as  also  her  note  of  mother's  decease, 
day  before  yesterday,  and  write  the  next  mail.  Believe  me,  that  as 
I  am  as  sensitive  of  the  opinions  of  those  I  love  as  a  sensitive 
plant  is  to  the  touch  of  the  human  hand,  so  equally  am  I  suscepti- 
ble to  great  and  small  griefs  ;  and  with  my  peculiarly  finely  strung 
nervous  organization  my  heart  is  burdened  with  sympathy  for  you 
and  ours  in  our  great  griefs.     I  have  felt  that  mother  is  here  with 


137, 

me  alt  the  time  now,  in  spirit,  and  sTie  knows  now  the  deep  love 
that  I  have  always  borne,  and  bear  her  memory." 

My  sister,  Mrs.  Emma  M.  Roberts,  Meriting  after  hearing  of  her 
death,  said  :  "  You  have  been  frequently  in  my  thoughts  of  late. 
1  know  you  must  feel  a  void  in  your  life  that  will  never  again  be 
filled.  Sister  Elmira's  death  filled  me  with  deep  sorrow,  for  memo- 
ries of  my  childhood  are  associated  with  her,  and  I  loved  her  very 
much. 

My  sister,  Mrs.  Harriet  N,  Oakley,  wrote  :  "  I  feel  thai  she  has 
always  been  a  very  consistent  Christian,  and  a  help  to  you  in  your 
work  for  the  Lord.  We  deeply  sympathize  with  you  and  the  chil- 
dren in  this  your  great  affliction,  I  can  more  deeply  feel  for  you 
as  I  have  passed  through  the  same  sad  trial  in  losing  my  beloved 
husband  out  of  my  sight.  What  a  noble  life  was  Elmira's  ?  Our 
loss  is  her  gain.  How  thankful  I  am  that  I  was  permitted  to  see 
so  much  of  her  society  while  at  Cape  May  last  Winter.  I  felt 
when  I  saw  her  in  the  cars  that  it  was  the  last  time  that  I  should 
ever  see  her  dear  face  again  in  this  world,  she  was  looking  so  very 
feeble.  We  shall  go  to  them,  but  they  cannot  come  to  us — a  great 
home  circle,  where  they  are  waiting  for  us.  We  shall  know  each 
other  there,  is  such  a  comforting  thought." 

My  sister,  Mrs.  Amelia  F.  Kershaw,  of  Bound  Brook,  N.  J., 
wrote  me — ,"  I  remember  very  well  the  welcome  I  always  received 
at  your  house,  and  the  many  happy  hours  I  enjoyed  there  with  El- 
mira  and  the  little  ones.  Elmira  and  I  were  like  two  sisters,  and 
we  were  nearly  always  so  congenial  and  so  happy  together,  I  felt 
her  death  very  deeply  when  I  heard  she  was  gone." 

My  brother,  Rev.  Jacob  V.  Hughes,  Shawano,  Wisconsin,  wrote 
me — "  We  received  last  night  the  sad  news  of  Sister  Elmira's  death. 
Both  Lizziie  and  I  join  in  sincere  sympathy  to  you  and  all  your  dear 
family.  No  loss  more  keenly  felt  than  that  of  a  wife  and  mother. 
Yet  I  feel  that  we  all  have  so  much  to  comfort  us  in  her  death. 
Truly  our  loss  is  her  gain.  She  has  only  gone  a  little  before,  and 
has  rejoined  the  many  loved  ones  there." 

My  nephew,  Mr.  Reuben  Foster,  Baltimore,  Md.,  wrote — "Your 
letter  received  and  noted  with  interest,  giving  me  the  account  of 
Aunt  Elmira's  illness  and  death.  It  was  a  great  comfort  for  you 
all  to  be  together  during  her  last  hours,  which  is   not  probable 


138. 

could  have  been  the  case  had  you  not  returned  to  your  home  in 
Iowa.  Aunt  Elmira  was  always  very  kind,  and  seemed  near  to  me 
since  my  being  with  you  those  three  years  in  the  West.  She  ever 
exerted  an  influence  lor  good  over  those  around  her.  And  hers 
was  indeed  a  true  Christian  character — no  one  could  know  her 
without  being  fully  impressed  with  it." 

Mrs.  Mary  W.  Johnston,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  formerly  of  Traer, 
Iowa,  writing  to  our  daughter,  Mrs.  Louisa  E.  Kinney,  after  her 
mother's  death,  says : — "  We  have  just  learned  of  your  mother's 
death,  and  extend  to  you  our  heartfelt  sympathy  in  the  great  loss 
you  have  sustained.  But  of  her  it  may  truly  be  said,  she  was 
ready  when  the  Master  called,  and  'to  die  is  gain,'  to  such  a  pa- 
tient, loving  disciple.  Am  glad  it  was  my  privilege  to  have  made 
her  acquaintance.  Her  cheerful  sunny  nature,  knowing  how  much 
she  suffered  physically  without  complaining,  taught  me  many  a 
lesson.  I  always  enjoyed  my  calls,  and  came  away  feeling  your 
mother's  influence  for  good  was  great.  We  had  several  interesting 
talks  I  will  always  rememember  with  pleasure  and  profit." 

Miss  Idalia  G.  Daniels  (who  herself  died  in  California  March, 
1 891),  daughter  of  a  Baptist  clergyman,  Shellsburg,  Iowa,  writing 
in  1886  to  our  same  daughter,  said  : — "  Though  you  spoke  of  your 
mother's  illness  it  was  a  great  shock  to  us  to  learn  through  the 
Observer  of  her  death.  Her  beautiful  soul  always  seemed  ripe 
for  another  world,  and  yet,  as  mama  said,  '  How  dreadful  it  seems 
to  lay  that  delicate  body  away  which  has  been  cared  for  so  long, 
and  so  tenderly.'  I  shall  never  forget  the  impression  her  character 
made  upon  me,  and  through  the  ministry  of  suffering  her  mission 
was  a  beautiful  one,  and  most  beautifully  fulfilled.  I  hope  you 
will  accept  our  truest  sympathy  for  yourself  and  father." 

Mrs,  Louisa  Prichard,  Tacoma,  Washington  Territory  (formerly 
a  young  companion  of  our  daughters,  and  who  joined  with  them 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  under  my  pastoral 
labors  there),  writing  to  me  says : — "  My  dear  Friend,  I  hope  I  am 
not  intruding,  but  I  feel  so  much  for  you  in  your  deep  sorrow,  and 
wish  to  express  my  sympathy,  in  which  my  husband  joins  with  me. 
Mrs.  Hughes  was  a  dear  friend  to  me,  and  I  felt  for  her  an  affec- 
tion next  to  my  dear  sainted  mother.  Both  are  at  rest ;  both  suf- 
fered long  in  body,  but  were  so  patient,  great  is  now  their  reward. 


139. 

My  tears  mingle  with  yours  and  the  children,  They  will  miss  their 
dear  mother,  and  her  wise  counsel,  more  and  more  as  the  years  go 
by." 

Hon.  William  H.  Leas,  Des  Moines,  Iowa  (uncle  of  the  above 
Mrs.  Prichard),  writing  to  me  in  reference  to  the  decease  of  his  own 
wife  and  mine,  says  :  "  Mrs.  Leas  said  to  a  friend  just  before  going 
to  Chicago,  who  urged  her  to  write  and  let  her  .know  the  success 
of  the  operation,  '  I  will,  but  if  you  do  not  get  a  letter  from  me, 
you  may  know  that  I  am  asleep  in  Jesus.'  Mrs.  Hughes  likewise 
is  asleep  in  Christ.  How  blessed  it  is  to  be  in  that  heavenly  frame 
of  mind  just  before  passing  through  the  valley  and  shadow." 

Miss  Ellen  W.  Hamilton,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  (whose  parents  and 
family  were  our  intimate  friends,  and  at  the  funeral  of  whose 
mother  I  officiated  at  Vinton,  Iowa),  wrote  me  thus  : — "  My  dear 
Friend.  It  has  been  impossible  for  me  to  send  you  one  line  to  ex- 
press my  sympathy  until  this  time.  Let  me  now  assure  you  how 
deeply  I  feel  for  you  in  your  sorrow.  Many  times  I  wished  I  could 
also  be  near  to  dear  Mrs.  Hughes.  I  know  she  had  every  care 
and  attention — but  had  I  been  nearer  you  should  have  deemed  it 
my  place  and  privilege  to  have  been  the  one  to  have  waited  upon 
heri'  I  shall  cherish  through  life  her  example  of  suffering,  unsel- 
fishness and  patience — and  I  hope  her  example  may  stimulate  me 
to  greater  diligence  and  faithfulness.  She  was  a  rarely  gifted 
woman,  and  I  was  always  proud  to  feel  I  could  call  her  my  friend." 

Rev.  Allen  H.  Brown,  Camden,  N.  J.,  (a  classmate  at  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary),  wrote  me  : — "  Dear  Brother  Hughes,  you 
have  indeed  experienced  a  great  loss.,  Is  it  not  your  wife's  gain? 
See  John  1 7 :  24,  '  Father,  I  will  that  they  also,  whom  thou  hast 
given  me,  be  with  me  where  I  am ;  that  .they  may  behold  my  glory, 
which  thou  hast  given  me.'  I  cut  out  of  the  paper  the  notice  of 
your  excellent  wife ;  after  reading  carefully,  notwithstanding  the 
small  type." 

Rev.  William  C.  Cattell,  D.  D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  (whose  heart 
is  one  of  tenderness  and  sympathy),  wrote  me  thus  : — '  My  dear 
Brother,  I  was  much  touched  by  the  reference  to  your  great  sor- 
row in  the  death  of  your  wife.  May  our  Lord  comfort  and  sup- 
port you." 

Rev.  Joseph  T.  Smith,  D.  D.,  Baltimore,  Md.,  (a  companion  and 


140. 

classmate  at  Jefferson  College,  Pa,,  of  my  uncle,  Hon.  George  M. 
Eldredge),  wrote  me : — "  Dear  Brother  Hughes,  to  have  lost  the 
wife  of  your  youth,  the  companion  of  so  many  years,  and  such  a 
wife,  is  the  greatest  sorrow  you  can  know.  You  have  drank  the 
bitterest  cup  of  earthly  sorrow.  How  sweet  the  thought  that  as 
earth  grows  darker,  heaven  is  always  growing  brighter  and  coming 
nearer." 

On  Tuesday,  September  28,  1886,  the  Presbytery  of  Cedar 
Rapids  was  to  meet  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  twenty-four  miles  east  of 
Traer,  on  the  same  railroad.  As  I  had  formerly  been  a  member  of 
that  Presbytery,  had  also  lived  six  years  very  pleasantly  in  Vinton, 
and  had  two  married  daughters  living  there,  I  was  desirous,  if  pos- 
sible, of  being  present  a  part  of  the  time,  at  least,  with  this  Presby- 
tery. So  with  my  wife's  consent,  leaving  her  in  careful  hands,  and 
with  the  positive  direction  that  if  any  unfavorable  change  occurred 
in  her  case  they  should  telegraph  me  immediately,  I  started  for 
Presbytery.  But  that  very  night  she  took  seriously  worse.  I  re- 
ceived a  telegram  early  the  next  morning  to  return  by  the  1 1  A. 
M.  train.  I  mentioned  this  fact  to  the  Presbytery,  as  the  ground 
of  my  leaving,  when,  unexpectedly,  the  Moderator  called  on  one 
of  the  brethren  to  lead  in  prayer  for  me  and  for  my  sick  and  d}ing 
wife,  which  greatly  touched  and  comforted  mv  sad  heart.  From 
that  time  she  daily  grew  weaker. 

The  Presbytery  of  Waterloo,  of  which  I  was  a  member,  met  at 
Tama  City,  Iowa,  on  October  5,  1886.  Mrs.  Hughes  died  on  that 
day.  I  wrote  them  immediately  the  cause  of  my  absence,  and  sent 
it  by  a  special  messenger.  Shortly  afterwards  I  received  the  fol- 
lowing melting  and  comforting  letter: — 

Tama  City,  Iowa,  October  6,  1886. 

Rev.  D.  L.  Hughes — Rev.  and  Dear  Brother:  The  Presbytery 
of  Waterloo,  in  session  in  Tama  City,  have  this  day  listened  with 
tender  interest  to  your  letter  touching  the  death  of  your  dear  de- 
voted companion ;  the  wife  of  your  youth,  your  counsellor  and 
helper  in  all  your  arduous  labors  as  a  minister  and  a  missionary 
for  so  many  years. 

The  Brethren  desire  to  assure  you  of  their  sincere  love  and  ten- 
derest  sympathy  for  you  in  this  the  sorest  hour  of  earthly  bereave- 


141. 

ment — when  the  loved  one,  who  has  been  the  solace  and  the  joy 
of  your  heart  and  hand  for  so  many  years,  is  translated  from  the 
toils  and  sorrows  of  the  church  militant  to  the  blessedness  and  wel- 
come rest  of  the  church  triumphant.  "  Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord."  And,  "  Precious  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  is  the 
death  of  his  saints,"  Of  this  blessedness  and  preciousness  in  the 
case  of  our  beloved  sister  there  can  be  no  doubt.  In  her  triumph 
and  her  victory  and  her  heavenly  crown  we  all  rejoice,  while  we 
sorrow  for  your  loss.     What  is  our  loss  is  her  everlasting  gain. 

It  will  not  be  long,  dear  Brother,  till  our  Divine  Master  will  call 
you  to  "  come  up  higher."  You  now  have  new  ties  in  that 
Heavenly  land  whither  we  all  are  tending,  and  whence  ere  long  will 
come  to  you  the  welcome  plaudit,  "  Well  done  good  and  faithful 
servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord."  In  conclusion,  dear 
Brother,  assuring  you  of  our  continued  love,  and  sympathy  with 
you  in  this  hour  of  your  sorrow,  we  remain  sincerely  and  truly 
yours  in  the  Lord, 

Charles  M.  Howe,  Moderator. 

HER  HOME. 
The  home  of  Mrs.  E.  W.  Hughes  at  Traer,  Iowa,  is  illustrated 
on  the  opposite  page.  It  was  sketched  by  the  artist  early  one 
bright  morning  after  breakfast,  when  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hughes  were 
hastily  summoned  in  their  morning  costume  from  the  garden  and 
the  flower  bed  to  appear  in  front  to  be  photographed,  with  a  young 
lady  teacher  on  her  way  to  school,  in  "  bold  relief."  In  this  com- 
fortable home  Mrs.  Hughes  died,  and  went  from  it  to  her  "Father's 
House  "  above.. 


143. 

THE  CHILDREN 

of  Rev.  Daniel  L.  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes  were  eight — four  sons 
and  four  daughters — viz  : — Daniel  Lawrence,  Ella  Thomas,  William 
Williams,  Elmira  Florence,  George  Washington,  Anna  Lyon, 
James  Lawrence,  and  Louisa  Edmunds.  Of  these,  two  sons  and 
one  daughter  are  dead. 

1.  Daniel  Lawrence  Hughes  was  born  at  Little  Valley,  Mifflin 
County,  Pa.,  March  30,  1846;  and  died  at  Cape  Island,  New  Jer- 
sey, August  5,  1846,  aged  four  months  and  six  days.  He  was  a 
patient  sufferer  for  two  weeks,  and  is  not  dead  but  sleepeth — not 
lost  but  gone  before.  He  was  buried  on  the  Williamson's  lot  in 
the  Cold  Sprmg  Cemetery. 

2.  Ella  Thomas  Hughes  was  born  at  Lewistown,  Pa.,  December 
19,  1847,  2od  died  at  Pine  Grove  Mills,  Centre  County,  Pa.,  July 
13,  1848,  aged  six  months  and  twenty^-four  days.  A  child  of  re- 
markable beauty,  intelligence,  and  promise,  she  is  mourned  as  one 
lost,  but  saved.  She  was  sick  but  one  week,  and  is  buried  in  the 
graveyard  of  the  first  Spruce  ("reek,  Presbyterian  Church,  Pa. 

3.  William  Williams  Hughes,  Esq.,  the  third  and  the  oldest 
living  child  of  Rev.  Daniel  L.  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  was  born 
at  Cape  Island,  Cape  May  County,  N.  J.,  August  17,  1849.  In  his 
early  years  he  was,  from  exposure,  troubled  a  good  deal  with 
asthma,  which  has  clung  to  him,  more  or  less,  all  his  days.  It  in- 
terrupted often  his  continuous  studies ;  but  his  education  was 
carried  on  by  his  parents,  in  the  common  schools,  at  the  High 
Schools  of  Logansport,  Indiana,  and  Tipton,  Iowa,  at  Lenox  Col- 
lege, Iowa,  and  at  the  Law  University  at  Iowa  City,  Iowa.  To 
all  this  he  added  much  advancement  by  his  own  independent  and 
energetic  efforts.  Having  completed  his  full  course  in  the  Law 
Department  at  Iowa  City,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar;  and  has 
been  a  practicing  lawyer  ever  since  in  Iowa  and  Dakota,  until  last 
year  when  he  entered  the  Government  employ  at  Washington, 
D.  C,  as  one  of  the  clerks  in  the  Civil  Service  Reform,  and  seems 
well  satisfied  with  his  position.  I  quote  here,  as  appropriate  and 
instructive,  an  extract  from  one  of  his  published  letters  to  the 
Free  Press,  Manning,  Iowa,  where  at  one  time  he  resided  and 
practiced  his  profession  : — 


143. 

Washington,  D.  C,  July  19,  1890. 

Mr.  Editor: — I  arrived  here  the  evening  of  the  7th  inst,,  and 
am  in  the  employ  of  the  Government.  I  fill  my  desk  from  6  P.  M. 
to  12  P.  M.  Arise  at  8  A.  M.  and  thus  have  all  day  to  myself,  to 
enjoy  the  advantages  of  the  public  libraries,  and  to  visit  the 
museums,  botanical  garden,  conservatories,  Smithsonian  Institute, 
fish  commission  buildings,  art  gallery,  monument,  and  the  various 
executive,  legislative,  and  departmental  buildings,  and  grounds. 

This  beautiful  city  is  a  veritable  paradise.  The  streets,  150  feet 
wide,  are  paved  with  asphalt,  a  kind  of  cement.  Each  sidewalk  is 
25  feet  wide,  and  of  smooth,  white  stone,  and  lined  with  larg;e  hard 
maple  and  other  fine  trees.  From  the  Capitol,  which  is  in  the 
centre  of  the  city,  running  west  to  the  Potomac  River,  some  two 
and  a  half  miles,  is  ?  continuous  park,  filled  with  elegant  and 
massive  buildings,  containing  a  vast  aggregation  of  contributions 
from  all  parts  of  the  world,  covering  natural  history,  chemistry 
geology,  botany,  and,  in  fact,  all  the  arts  and  sciences,  besides 
relics  of  men  and  things  historical  in  our  country's  annals,  as 
insignia  of  the  progress  we  have  made  as  a  nation  in  both  the 
more  useful,  as  well  as,  artistic  ways.  This  contains  lofty  and 
splendid  forest  trees,  nearly  three  feet  in  diameter,  beautiful  shrub- 
bery, lawns,  and  a  profusion  of  ornamental  plants  and  flowers — all 
interspersed  with  winding  walks  and  drives,  presenting  its  beauties 
to  best  advantage.  In  the  balmy  summer  air,  here,  growing  out 
doors  is  also  found  all  the  luxuriant  vegetation  of  the  tropics,  and 
the  bird  twitter  and  nest  in  the  trees  and  baths  in  some  of  the 
many  fountains ;  and  all  nature  seems  joyous,  and  its  natural 
beauties  enhanced  by  the  art  of  man.  And  all  these  enjoyments 
are  free  to  the  public." 

I  have  always  felt  that  my  cup  of  earthly  happiness  would  have 
been  full  if  my  two  living  sons  had  been  called  of  God  to  the  gos- 
pel ministry,  and  they  had  entered  it  and  preached  to  a  dying 
world,  from  the  heart  and  in  the  powerful  demonstration  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified  as  the  Saviour  of  the 
world  and  the  hope  of  glory.  I  desired  it  and  prayed  for  it.  They 
both  were  naturally  gifted  speakers  in  voice,  manner,  energy,  and 
effectiveness.  But  neither  of  them  seemed  inclined  to  the  ministry 
and  God  seemed  to  have  ordered  otherwise. 


144. 

William  W.  preferred  the  law  as  his  profession,  and  to  this  with 
*'  a  determined  will  "  he  bent  all  his  energies  until  he  succeeded. 
He  was  an  excellent  penman.  Twice  he  took  the  prize  offered  for 
the  best  penmanship  by  his  teacher  in  this  department.  He  was 
a  good  school  teacher,  as  he  frequently  taught  school  to  help  him 
forward  in  his  own  studies,  receiving  at  his  examination  for  this 
work  the  grade  of  98  3-7  out  of  100.  And  last  year  he  took  at 
Washington,  I  am  told,  the  highest  grade  in  the  copyist  examina- 
tion for  a  clerkship.  He  used  to  be  also  a  skilful  and  accurate 
marksman,  holding  his  own  with  the  best.  He  is  as  yet  unmar- 
ried ;  but  he  has,  along  with  some  peculiarities,  a  very  tender 
heart,  and  loves  his  friends  dearly. 

The  three  living  daughters  of  Rev.  Daniel  L.  and  Elmira  W. 
Hughes  were  as  fair,  as  loving,  and  as  well  beloved,  as  were  those 
of  Job.  They  were  all  what  any  parent  could  wish  in  heart,  speech, 
and  behavior. 

4.  Elmira  Florence  Hughes,  the  oldest  of  these  daughters,  was 
born  at  Cape  Island,  Cape  May  County,  N.  J.,  July  23,  185 1.  She 
was  educated  in  the  common  school  at  Pacific  City,  Iowa,  in  a  select 
school  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa — in  the  High  School  at  Tipton,  Iowa, 
and  at  the  Mountain  Seminary,  Birmingham,  Pa.  and  the  Belle- 
fonte  Academy,  Pa.,  under  her  uncle,  Rev.  J.  P.  Hughes.  She 
united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  in  her 
thirteenth  year,  and  was  always  conscientious,  careful,  diligent, 
obedient,  and  loving.  She  always  studied  her  parents'  best  inter- 
ests ;  was  always  interested  in  children  and  adapted  her  instruc- 
tions to  them  ;  was  a  faithful  Sabbath  School  teacher — a  good 
judge  and  critic  of  sermons,  public  addresses,  and  religious  and  lit- 
erary efforts — and  always  a  good  housekeeper.  Yet  she  always 
seemed  to  have  a  low  estimate  of  herself,  and  desired  but  little 
publicity.  But  the  truth  must  be  told  and  facts  stated.  Before 
her  marriage,  there  was  no  young  lady,  it  was  said,  in  Viniton, 
Iowa,  where  her  father's  family  resided,  who  was  considered  more 
beautiful  and  attractive  than  she  was ;  and  she  received  the  atten= 
tions  and  the  hand  of  one  of  the  best  young  gentleftien  of  the  city. 
The  published  record  is: — "On  April  29,  1874,  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  by  Rev.  D.  L.  Hughes,  assisted  by 
Rev.  S.  Phelps,  was  married  George  Taylor  Rock  to  Ella  Florence 


145. 

Hughes,  daughter  of  the  officiating  clergyman."  Ten  years  after 
this  date  The  Vinton  Eagle  published  the  following  : — "  Tuesday, 
being  the  tenth  marriage  anniversary  of  Tay  Rock  and  wife,  quite  a 
number  of  the  family  gathered  at  the  house  and  tendered  their  con- 
gratulations, and  left  many  tokens  of  their  love.  Seven  children 
have  blessed  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  living,  and  a  sweeter, 
brighter  family  cannot  be  found  in  the  city;  in  business  matters  the 
young  couple  have  also  been  very  successful  in  accumulating  a 
goodly  supply  of  this  world's  goods.  The  Eagle  extends  its  con- 
gratulations and  hopes  the  succeeding  ten  years  will  be  fully  as 
happy  and  prosperous  ones."  Mrs.  Rock's  aunt  from  Chicago,  111., 
Mrs.  Mary  B.  Fletcher,  lately  visited  her,  and  she  thus  wrote  me 
under  date  of  January  30,  1891: — "I  think  Ella  has  a  beautiful 
family  of  boys  and  girls.  I  think  her  a  wonderful  woman,  so  frail, 
and  yet  accomplishing  so  much.'* 

In  writing  to  my  daughter  for  some  of  the  records  of  their  family 
for  this  "  Ancestral  History,"  she  replied  : — "  Are  you  going  to 
have  it  published  ?  It  seems  so  much  trouble  for  you,  as  we  are 
not  a  family  of  national  repute.  All  we  care  for  is  to  know  we  came 
of  a  good  family.  I  believe  'blood  always  tells.'"  But  I  say  it  is 
wise  to  preserve  well  family  acquaintanceships  and  relationships, 
that  are  worthy,  however  humble  ;  and  a  godly  ancestry,  next 
to  personal  worth,  is  the  highest  distinction.  She  adds  : — '*  Well 
I  never  could  write  a  book.  I  can  scarcely  write  a  letter."  But 
she  is  a  good  letter  writer,  writing  often  and  promptly  ;  and  writing 
facts,  full  particulars,  and  to  the  point.  George  Taylor  Rock,  her 
husband,  the  son  of  Augustus  H.  and  Eliza  Rock,  was  born  at  Ce- 
dar Rapids,  Iowa,  May  12,  185 1.  His  father  was  a  successful 
merchant  in  the  hardware,  stove,  and  tin  business  in  Vinton,  Iowa, 
but  died  of  consumption  at  a  comparatively  early  age,  being  only 
thirty-nine  years  old  when  he  died.  His  mother  is  a  most  estimable 
woman,  one  of  the  best  and  most  highly  appreciated  to  be  found 
anywhere.  She  has  sincere  piety,  good  judgment,  christian  hos- 
pitality, and  persevering  industry  ;  and  is  ready,  in  the  church  or 
out  of  it,  to  every  good  word  and  work.  Three  children  were  born 
to  these  parents — George  Taylor,  Susan  Cornelia,  and  Augustus 
Herman.  The  latter  married,  but  died  shortly  after  with  consump- 
tion.    Susan,  a  refined  young  lady,  married  N.  D.  Pope,  a  druggist 


146. 

at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  and  they  have  one  daughter,  named  Eliza- 
beth Ives  Pope.  Sometime  after  her  husband's  death  Mrs.  Rock 
married  Mr.  George  Horridge,  who  continued  the  hardware  busi- 
ness of  her  first  husband.  He  has  been  a  prudent,  energetic,  and 
successful  business  man  ;  and  with  his  varied  and  safe  investments 
has  become  wealthy.  He  has  also  been  for  many  years  an  active 
and  acceptable  ruling  elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Vinton. 
He  is  noted  for  his  quiet  consistency,  unostentations  liberality  and 
general  popularity.  He  and  his  family,  with  other  Vintonians,  are 
now  nicely  homed  every  winter  in  the  beautiful  city  of  Lake  Charles, 
the  rapidly  growing  county  seat  of  Calcasieu  parish,  in  South  West- 
<irn  Louisiana,  and  in  a  delightful  climate. 

G.  Taylor  Rock,  after  attending  the  ordinary  schools  at  his  own 
home  in  Vinton,  received  the  most  of  his  education  at  the  Univer- 
sity in  Iowa  City,  Iowa.  He  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  Vinton  in  his  i8th  year,  and  was  for  some  time  one  of  its 
Deacons,  as  also  one  of  its  leading  choristers.  He  is  a  good  finan- 
cier, and  is  considered  an  extra  smart  business  man. 

The  hardware,  stove  and  tinware  business  was  established  in 
Vinton  in  1855  by  Rock  Bros,  (father  and  uncle  ot  G.  T.  Rock), 
It  is  one  of  the  oldest  houses  in  the  State.  The  following  changes 
occurred  in  order  :  Rock  &  Horridge  ;  Horridge  &  Rock  ;  George 
Horridge  ;  George  Horridge  &  Co.;  Horridge  &  Rock ;  and  G.  T. 
Rock. 

The  children  of  G.  Taylor  and  Elmira  F.  Rock  are  eight — six 
sons  and  two  daughters,  as  follows  : 

1.  Herman  Williams  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  March  3, 
1875.  He  has  grown  to  be  a  diligent  and  successful  student,  a 
pious  and  active  christian,  and  will  graduate  at  the  High  School  in 
Vinton  this  Spring.  The  subject  given  him  for  his  public  address 
on  the  occasion  is,  "A  hundred  years  hence." 

2.  Taylor  Lawrence  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  February 
27,  1876.  He  makes  a  beautiful  picture — is  fond  of  both  play  and 
study — is  smart  and  active — and  if  he  will  carefully  and  prayer- 
fully cultivate  the  character  and  spirit  of  the  Lawrences,  after 
whom  he  was  named,  he  will  make  a  useful  and  happy  man. 

3.  George  Horridge  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  July  29, 
1877.     ^^  ^s  a  reliable  boy — obedient  and  helpful  to  his  parents — 


147. 

diligent  in   his  studies — and  solid  as  a  "  rock  "  in  his  good  princi- 
ples.    But  he  says,  ''  Don't  put  me  in  any  book." 

4.  Clinton  Harrington  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  Nov- 
ember 2,  1878;  and  died  July  29,  1879,  aged  eight  months  and 
twenty-seven  days.  He  was  buried  in  the  beautiful  cemetery  at 
Vinton. 

5.  Elizabeth  Taylor  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  December 
25,  1880.  She  is  a  very  graceful  little  lady,  discreet  in  her  be- 
havior, progressive  in  her  studies  both  at  the  day  school  and  at  the 
Sabbath  school,  and  will  no  doubt  prove  a  comfort  to  her  parents, 
an  ornament  to  society,  and  a  blessing  to  the  church  and  world. 

6.  Harold  Hughes  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  February 
II,  1882.  He  is  one  of  the  smartest  of  the  family.  He  is  a 
romper,  and  yet  he  is  full  of  business.  "  He  would  rather  skate 
than  eat."  He  can  stir  around  cheerful  as  a  honey  bee,  and  drive 
a  good  bargain  equal  to  the  next  boy ;  and  yet  growing,  I  trust, 
every  day  both  wiser  and  better,  remembering  what  the  Holy  Bible 
says  :  "  The  fear  of  the  Lord  that  is  wisdom,  and  to  depart  from 
evil  is  understanding." 

7.  Raymond  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  February,  7, 
1884.  What  shall  I  say  of  him?  I  ask,  "What  shall  the  harvest 
be  ?"  With  those  dark  and  piercing  eyes,  and  with  that  fine  fore- 
head of  large  causality  and  comparison,  and  with  a  body  of  natural 
vigor  under  them,  what  is  to  hinder  him  from  becoming  in  due 
time,  by  the  grace  of  God  and  the  proper  cultivation  of  all  his 
talents,  a  successful  Minister  of  the  gospel,  or  a  prominent  Pro- 
fessor in  some  College,  or  even  its  President  with  not  only  a  D.D. 
but  also  an  LL.D.  ornamenting  his  original  signature.  "  So  mote 
it  be." 

8.  Hazel  Elmira  Rock  was  born  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  February  13, 
1886.  And  is  not  the  last  the  best  ?  She  carries  the  "  souvenir  " 
of  both  her  mother  and  grandmother  in  the  precious  name  of 
"Elmira."  Hazel  Elmira  is  the  youngest  of  all  these  "  bright " 
children ;  she  is  plump,  sweet,  and  lively.  But,  under  suitable 
parental  and  Divine  training,  she  gives  large  promise  of  an  ener- 
getic and  useful  life. 

This  whole    family — parents    and    children — are    a   family   of 
singers.     They  can  carry  all  the  parts  of  music  among  themselves 


148. 

at  the  same  time.  It  is  delightful  and  soul -inspiring  to  listen  to  all 
their  voices  together,  from  the  youngest  to  the  oldest,  praising  God 
from  whom  all  blessings  tiow,  as  also  in  cheering  one  another  in 
many  sweet  musical  strains. 

5.  George  Washington  Hughes,  the  fifth  child  and  second  liv- 
ing son  of  Rev.  Daniel  L.  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  was  born  in  the 
parsonage  at  Spruce  Creek,  Huntingdon  County,  Pa.,  February  22, 
1854.  He  was  born  on  the  same  day  of  the  month  that  George 
Washington,  the  Father  of  his  country,  was  born  ;  and  as  soon  as 
I  was  introduced  to  him  I  called  him  George  Washington,  and  he 
has  borne  that  name  ever  since.  He  spent  the  most  of  his  boy- 
hood in  attending  the  Common  and  High  Schools  at  Pacific  City, 
Des  Moines,  and  Tipton,  Iowa.  He  also  spent  a  year  or  more 
with  his  uncle,  Rev.  James  P.  Hughes,  at  the  Bellefonte  Academy, 
Pa.;  and  was  afterwards  a  student  for  two  terms  at  Washington 
and  Jefferson  College,  Pa.  But  ill  health  hindered  the  farther 
prosecution  of  his  studies.  This  has  caused  him  much  trouble, 
and  has  interfered  with  the  successful  prosecution  of  his  plans  both 
in  study  and  business.  But  he  was  always  courteous,  affectionate, 
and  confiding;  strictly  conscientious  in  doing  what  he  thought  to 
be  duty,  while  he  has  displayed  in  several  inventions  a  good  de- 
gree of  inventive  genius.  He  was  naturally  a  fine  elocutionist, 
and  if  his  health  had  been  firm  he  might  have  been  a  successful 
public  speaker,  as  the  occasional  public  readings  and  addresses  that 
he  gave  bore  ample  testimony.  But  his  feeble  health  required  his 
retirement  from  professional  life,  and  he  has  engaged,  as  he  was 
able,  as  an  agent  in  some  active  and  useful  out-door  employment. 
He  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wilson — the  widow  of  a  Senator — with 
two  pleasant  daughters,  and  some  valuable  property.  She  is  an 
agreeable  and  truly  helpful  companion.  They  have  several  child- 
ren, and  live  in  Iowa. 

6.  Anna  Lyon  Hughes,  the  sixth  child,  and  second  living  daugh- 
ter of  Rev.  Daniel  L,  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Spruce 
Creek,  Huntingdon  County,  Pa.,  November  26,  1855.  She  united 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  of  which  her 
father  was  the  pastor,  when  she  was  only  ten  years  old.  She  had 
the  opportunity  of  attending  good  schools  in  her  early  years.  At 
the  age  of  fifteen  she  taught  her  first  school  in  summer  in  Black- 


149. 

Iiawk  County,  Iowa ;  and  was  offered  the  same  school  for  the  win- 
ter term.  But  instead  of  teaching  she  preferred  going  forward  in 
her  own  studies.  So  she  was  sent  to  the  Mountain  Seminary  at 
Birmingham,  Huntingdon  County,  Pa.,  where  she  graduated  at  the 
age  of  seventeen.  A  short  time  after  she  returned  home  she  >vent 
to  the  Western  Female  Seminary  at  Oxford,  Ohio,  to  prepare  her- 
self specially  to  enter  one  of  the  higher  classes  of  either  Vassar  or 
Wellesley  College,  Mass.;  but  after  her  first  term,  and  while  spend- 
ing her  vacation  with  one  of  her  intimate  companions,  near  there, 
she  was  taken  dangerously  ill.  Her  parents  then  decided  that  as 
her  health  did  not  seem  equal  to  it,  her  plan  for  a  collegiate  course 
had  best  be  abandoned.  After  returning  from  Oxford  to  her  home, 
at  that  time  in  Vinton,  Iowa,  she  taught  several  terms  of  private 
school.  She  was  a  perfect  lady  in  her  spirit  and  manner,  and  dis- 
creet in  her  behavior,  which,  with  her  varied  accomplishments, 
attracted  the  attention,  and  secured  the  confidence  and  affection  of 
one  of  the  best  educated  and  most  excellent  christian  young  men 
in  Vinton.  He  extended  to  her  the  offer  of  marriage ;  it  was  ac- 
cepted, and  we  read: — "On  August  24,  1876,  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  by 
Rev.  D.  L.  Hughes,  was  married  Clinton  O.  Harrington  to  Anna 
L.  Hughes,  daughter  of  the  officiating  clergyman — all  of  Vinton 
Iowa."  Her  general  health,  as  was  her  mother's,  is  frail ;  but  "she 
looketh  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household,  and  eateth  not  the  bread 
of  idleness."  She  is  strictly  conscientious  in  the  improvement  of 
her  time,  and,  if  she  can  find  a  few  extra  hours  for  it,  she  is  fond  of 
writing  for  the  press  some  pieces  of  poetry,  or  some  useful  stories 
for  "  the  little  ones,"  by  which  they  may  be  both  interested  and 
profited  The  ladies  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Vinton,  had  a 
*'  social "  one  evening  to  help  forward  their  benevolent  work  ;  and, 
to  increase  attendance  and  interest,  they  invited  all,  who  were  will- 
ing, to  bring  the  oldest  and  best  relics  they  had  for  exhibition.  I 
record  here  the  following,  taken  from  The  Vinton  Eagle  : — '•  Mrs. 
Harrington  and  her  sister,  Mrs.  Taylor  RocH,  had  several  ancestral 
relics  which  one  might  be  pardoned  for  coveting.  Among  them 
was  a  large  solid  silver  ladle,  quaint  solid  silver  tea  set,  beautiful 
individual  creamer,  mustard  cup,  egg  cup,  wine  bottle  gilded.  All 
these  were  very  old." 

Clinton  Orville  Harrington,  Esq.,  the  son  of  Fordus  Harrington 


ISC  . 

and  Angeline  Chapman  Harrington,  was  born  in  Chenango  County, 
New  York,  October  14,  1843.  His  mother  died  at  Pequa,  Ohio, 
when  he  was  three  years  old.  His  father  died  several  years  ago, 
at  his  son's  own  home  in  Vinton,  Iowa,  while  on  a  visit  to  him. 
Clinton  Orville  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio  and  In- 
diana, and  at  the  Iowa  State  University  at  Iowa  City.  He  grad- 
uated at  this  University  in  the  class  of  1870,  taking  the  degree  of 
Batchelor  of  Philosophy.  After  his  graduation  he  taught  in  the 
Iowa  College  for  the  Blind,  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  for  about  one  and  a 
half  years,  beginning  with  August,  1870.  He  united  with  the  M» 
E.  Church  in  the  Summer  of  1859,  in  his  sixteenth  year,  when 
living  in  Iowa  County,  Iowa,  and  he  has  continued  a  member  of 
that  church  ever  since.  He  is,  at  present,  a  trustee  of  the  Vinton 
M.  E.  Church,  having  held  this  position  for  the  past  sixteen  years. 
He  was  also  for  a  number  of  years  the  superintendent  of  its  Sab- 
bath school,  and  a  teacher  in-  the  same.  In  1880  he  was  elected  a 
trustee  of  the  Iowa  College  for  the  Blind  for  four  years,  by  the  Iowa 
State  Legislature;  and  he  has  been  twice  re-elected  to  the  said 
position.  He  served  three  terms,  of  two  years  each,  as  President 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  ;  and  he  is  now  serving  his  first  term  of 
two  years  as  Treasurer  of  the  College.  During  all  of  his  time  as 
trustee  he  served  on  the  committee  of  schools  and  teachers.  Mr. 
Harrington  enlisted  in  the  Civil  War  as  a  volunteer  soldier  October 
19,  1861,  and  served  in  Company  E,  Fourth  Regiment  Iowa  Vol- 
unteer Cavalry.  He  served  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was 
mustered  out  at  Davenport,  Iowa,  August  25,  1865. 

He  resigned  his  position  in  the  Iowa  College  for  the  Blind  in 
1872  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  himself  by  actual  business  expe- 
rience for  engaging  in  the  business  of  banking.  He  spent  about 
nine  months  in  Utah,  Salt  Lake — the  most  of  this  time  in  charge 
of  a  commission  and  forwarding  house.  And  he  spent  three  or 
four  months  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Dubuque,  Iowa,  In 
August,  1873,  with  others,  he  organized  the  Farmers  Loan  and 
Trust  Company,  located  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  and  was  elected  Secretary 
of  said  company,  which  position  he  has  held  continuously  until  the 
present  time.  He  has  held,  and  also  still  holds,  other  offices  of 
trust  and  responsibility.  As  a  husband,  Mr.  Harrington  is  kind, 
liberal,  loving,  and  faithful — anticipating  every  want  of  his  beloved 


151. 

wife,  and  helping  her  in  every  time  of  need — even  going  beyond 
her  desires  and  expectations.  He  is  one  of  the  few  men  who 
seems  to  think  more  of  his  wife  than  of  himself;  at  least  he  heeds 
the  direction  of  the  Apostle,  to  "so  love  his  wife  even  as  himself." 
Nor  does  the  idea  of  spoiling  her  thereby  cause  him  an  anxious 
thought.  They  are  one  in  affection,  in  purpose,  in  effort,  and  in 
reward. 

C.  Orville  Harrington,  Esq.,  and  Anna  Lyon  Harrington,  his 
wife,  have  had  one  child,  a  son,  named  Clinton  Oakley  Harrington, 
He  was  born  in  Vinton,  Iowa,  June  7,  1881,  and  is  therefore  now 
about  ten  years  of  age.  He  was  a  delicate  child,  but  has  grown 
stronger  as  he  has  grown  older.  He  has  been  nicely  homed,  and 
well  trained  under  both  his  father's  and  mother's  care,  especially 
that  of  the  latter.  He  has  made  equal  or  greater  advancement  in 
his  studies  than  other  boys  of  his  age,  although  he  has  gone  but 
little  to  any  public  school.  He  is  gentle  in  his  manners,  kind  in 
his  disposition,  conscientious  in  his  character,  and  loving  and 
obedient  to  his  parents.  If  spared,  and  his  health  should  prove 
firm,  he  has  a  life  of  goodness  and  usefulness  before  him. 

7.  James  Lawrence  Hughes,  the  seventh  child  of  Rev.  Daniel 
L.  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  was  born  at  Pacific  City,  Mills  County, 
Iowa,  May  18,  1859,  and  died  there  August  15,  1859,  aged  two 
months  and  28  days  From  his  birth  he  was  consecrated  to  God, 
to  be  if  spared  and  called,  a  minister  of  the  gospel ;  but  he  was 
early  called  to  minister  in  the  Upper  Sanctuary.  His  remains 
were  first  interred  on  "The  Bluffs"  overlooking  Pacific  City ;  but 
were  afterwards  removed  and  buried  in  the  old  cemetery  at  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  where  they  still  lie  marked  by  a  suitable  tombstone. 

8.  Louisa  Edmunds  Hughes,  the  eighth  and  last  child,  and  the 
youngest  daughter  of  Rev,  Daniel  L.  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes,  was 
born  at  Pacific  City,  Mills  County,  Iowa,  February  2,  1861,  Like 
all  the  other  children,  she  was  early  dedicated  to  God  in  the  ordin- 
ance of  baptism. 

When  about  eight  years  of  age  her  mother  and  she  started  from 
Iowa  on  a  trip  to  Cape  May,  New  Jersey.  In  passing  through 
Ohio,  on  the  Chicago,  Fort  Wayne  and  Pittsburg  R.  R.  one  even- 
ing, when  the  train  stopped  at  one  of  its  regular  stations,  her 
mother  left  her  for  a  few  moments  in  charge  of  her  things  while 


153. 

she  stepped  off  to  purchase  a  few  eatables  at  the  restaurant.  She 
noticed  carefully  where  she  got  off  so  that  she  might  get  on  again 
at  the  precise  spot.  But  while  she  was  making  her  purchases  that 
train  was  switched  off,  and  another  train  took  its  place.  She  soon 
came  out  of  the  hotel  and  got  on  her  train  (as  she  supposed)  just 
where  she  stepped  off.  The  train  started  immediately,  but  she 
could  find  neither  her  seat  nor  her  child  ;  and  after  going  through 
all  the  cars  and  was  disappointed,  she  spoke  to  the  conductor,  who 
asked  her  where  she  was  going,  and  when  she  answered  to  Pitts- 
burg, he  replied  that  she  was  on  the  wrong  train,  as  that  train  was 
going  West,  and  in  getting  off  at  the  next  station  she  could  not  go 
East  until  the  next  morning.  Mrs.  Hughes  at  once  felt  that  she 
was  in  a  sad  plight,  which  can  be  more  easily  imagined  than  de- 
scribed. So  soon  as  she  alighted  off  the  train  in  the  darkness  of 
the  night,  she  sent  a  telegram  to  Wooster,  Ohio,  to  have  the  con- 
ductor of  the  incoming  train  put  off  her  little  daughter  at  that 
station,  66  miles  distant,  and  have  her  cared  for  until  she  herself 
should  reach  her  the  next  morning;  and  requested  an  immediate 
reply  upon  her  daughter's  arrival.  She  went  to  a  hotel,  and  there 
passed  several  hours  in  deep  anxie<y,  receiving  no  telegram  until 
Oiear  midnight.  In  the  meantime  little  Lou,  so  soon  as  she  found 
her  tram  had  started  and  left  her  dear  mother  behind,  was  bathed 
in  a  shower  of  honest  tears.  The  ladies  near  her,  however,  tried  to 
comfort  her,  and  she  soon  fell  asleep.  When  called  to  get  off  at 
Wooster,  and  the  reason  for  it  given,  although  so  young,  she  im- 
mediately gathered  up  all  her  own  things  and  all  her  mother's — not 
even  forgetting  a  silver  cup  that  her  mother  had  loaned  one  of  the 
ladies  to  get  a  drink  in  for  her  babe — and  took  all  with  her  to  a 
hotel,  where  she  remained  until  her  mother  joined  her  the  next 
morning.  I  need  not  say,  it  was  a  joyful  meeting.  This  favoring 
providence,  under  such  a  trial,  has  been  a  source,  not  only  of  tears, 
but  of  gratitude  and  joy  to  all  of  us,  ever  since.  The  Bible  says, 
"  God  is  our  refuge  and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble. 
Ps.  46:1.  "The  Angel  of  the  Lord  encampeth  round  about  them 
that  fear  Him,  and  delivereth  them."     Ps.  34:7. 

In  regard  to  her  education  Louisa  E.  attended  especially  the 
public  school  at  Vinton,  Iowa,  until  the  fall  of  1874,  when  she  en  - 
tered   the   Tilford  Academy  at  that  place.     Here  she  prosecuted 


153. 

her  studies  until  the  summer  of  1877.  During  that  summer  she 
also  attended  the  Benton  County  Normal  Institute,  held  at  Vinton. 
The  year  before,  (1876)  when  in  her  i6th  year,  she  united  with 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Vinton.  In  October,  1877,  she  went  to 
Oxford,  Ohio,  and  entered  the  Western  Female  Seminary,  under 
the  care  of  Miss  Peabody,  where  she  remained  until  the  following 
June,  1878 — the  close  of  the  school  year.  She  returned  to  Vinton, 
Iowa,  and  as  her  mother  was  absent  at  Cape  May,  N.  J.,  she  spent 
the  summer  with  her  sister,  Mrs.  Anna  L.  Harrington.  In  the  fall 
of  1878  she  went  with  the  family  on  to  her  father's  farm  in  Black- 
hawk  County,  Iowa,  and  taught  the  public  school  in  that  District 
for  the  winter.  As  in  her  previous  education  at  Oxford  Seminary 
she  had  taken  a  course  of  lessons  on  Book-keeping,  so  she  has 
always  been  able  to  attend  well  to  her  own  business  matters,  as 
also  greatly  to  aid  her  husband  and  the  church  in  theirs.  She  cal- 
culates readily  and  accurately,  spells  correctly,  and  is  a  good 
writer.  While  at  the  Seminary  she  studied  Elocution,  also,  under 
an  experienced  teacher.  She  afterwards  felt  disposed,  with  her 
parents'  consent,  to  give  some  Public  Readings.  Accordingly  on 
December  3,  1878,  she  gave  her  first  Reading  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  Dysart,  Tama  County,  Iowa,  where  her  father  regularly 
preached.  How  she  succeeded  in  that  first  attempt  may  be 
learned  from  the  following  two  testimonials.  Hon.  Joseph  Dysart, 
ex- Lieutenant  Governor  of  Iowa,  says  :  "  In  all  such  performances 
the  essential  requisites  are  a  full  and  well  regulated  voice,  graceful 
action,  and  the  ability  to  impersonate  character.  That  Miss 
Hughes  is  well  endowed  by  nature  in  these  respects  was  evident 
to  all  her  hearers  who  have  listened  to  men  and  women,  who  have 
won  a  fame  on  the  rostrum  in  this  and  other  countries."  The 
Dysart  Reporter  said :  "  Miss  Hughes  made  favorable  impres- 
sion upon  the  listeners  who  seemed  to  be  well  pleased  with  the 
excellence  of  her  performance.  Her  selections  were  good,  and  the 
manner  in  which  they  were  rendered  showed  study  and  careful 
cultivation.  She  is  likely  to  become  a  Highly^ accomplished  elocu- 
tionist and  widely  known." 

In  the  Fall  of  1879  ^^^  was  engaged  again  to  teach  the  school 
she  had  taught  the  winter  before,  but  resigned  before  the  time  ar- 
rived in  order  to  assist  her  mother  in  her  domestic  arrangements, 


154. 

and  this  she  did  until  her  parents  moved  to  Traer,  Tama  County, 
Iowa,  in  March,  1881,  that  her  father  might  be  nearer  the  churches 
which  he  regularly  served,  and  that  he  might  give  himself  wholly 
to  the  ministry.  During  the  following  Summer  and  Fall  she 
taught  the  Peter  Wilson  School,  near  Traer,  for  a  term  of  three 
months. 

From  1 881-1883,  she  gave  numerous  public  readings,  where  she 
and  her  parents  were  known,  and  in  the  bounds  of  the  Presby- 
teries where  her  father  had  preached  and  with  which  he  had  been 
connected  ;  but  never  went  abroad  among  strangers — and  wherever 
she  went  her  efforts  were  approved.  She  often  read,  and  always 
with  acceptance,  at  Traer,  where  she  resided.  A  few  testimonials 
out  of  many  will  here  be  given  of  some  of  her  readings.  Rev.  C. 
H.  Bissell,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church,  Traer,  Iowa,  said: 
"  We  were  well  pleased  with  Miss  Hughes'  Readings  at  our 
church.  Her  easy  grace  upon  the  stage,  the  clearness  of  her 
enunciation,  rendering  each  syllable  distinct  to  every  ear,  and  her 
ready  appreciation  of  the  sentiment  of  the  pieces  rendered,  were 
noticeable  excellences."  The  Traer  Clipper  said:  "Miss 
Hughes  had  a  select  audience  at  the  Congregational  Church  on 
Tuesday  evening  who  went  away  delighted."  On  another  occa- 
sion, when  she  gave  a  recitation  before  the  Old  Settlers'  meeting 
at  Traer,  this  paper  said  :  "  Mrs.  L.  W.  Kinney  recited  Will 
Carlton's  '  First  Settler's  Story.'  It  was  one  of  the  best  things  of 
the  day.  Mrs.  Kinney  never  fails  to  intensely  interest  an  audi- 
ence in  her  characteristic  readings ;  and  in  this  case  has  the  deep- 
est appreciation  of  the  audience  and  their  thanks  for  the  favor." 
Hon.  James  Wilson  wrote  of  her  effort  at  the  Tranquility  Presby- 
terian Church,  of  which  her  father  was  pastor,  thus :  "  Miss 
Hughes  read  at  our  church  last  Saturday  evening  and  very  pleas- 
antly surprised  us.  She  reads  naturally  without  affectation  or 
stiffness,  and  is  really  far  ahead  of  many  whom  advertising  has 
made  famous."  Rev.  J.  W.  Hanna,  pastor  Presbyterian  Church, 
Grundy  Center,  said :  "  Miss  Lou  Hughes'  readings  in  Grundy 
Center  gave  general  satisfaction.  Our  best  critics  were  delighted. 
Her  manner  was  perfectly  natural,  and  she  gave  exhibition  of  real 
talent."  Judge  G.  M.  Gilchrist,  of  Vinton,  said:  "  I  can  but  con- 
gratulate Miss  Hughes  on  the  success,  with  which  she  read  re- 


155. 

cently,  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  this  place.  Knowing  she 
was  so  young  and  inexperienced  on  the  rostrum,  I  was  most  pleas- 
antly disappointed  by  the  excellence  ol  her  reading."  I  will  quote 
but  one  more.  Rev.  Stephen  Phelps,  D.D.,  President  of  Coe  Col- 
lege, Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  wrote  :  "  I  listened  with  great  pleasure 
to  the  select  readings  by  Miss  L.  E.  Hughes.  Her  pieces  were 
difficult,  and  such  as  quite  thoroughly  to  test  her  skill.  Her 
rendering  of  them  was  simple,  graceful,  and  natural.  She  is  re- 
markably free  from  affectation  of  manner,  from  which  the  elocu- 
tionist seldom  escapes.     Her  taste  and  talent  in  elocution  are  rare." 

Since  her  marriage,  and  residence  at  Lake  Charles,  Louisiana, 
she  has  frequently  interested  the  audiences  there  by  her  recitations, 
and  shared  also  in  their  high  encomiums. 

Louisa  E.  shared  much  of  her  mother's  poetic  talent.  I  can  give 
but  three  specimens.  The  first  was  published  in  the  Presbyterian 
Banner,  February  2,  1 881,  on  her  20th  birthday,  and  is  as  follows : 

POST  ANNOS  VIGINTL 

Two  long  decades  my  feet  have  trod  • 

The  Path  of  Life,  o'er  flower-decked  sod 

Of  happy  vales  where  perfumes  rare 

Blended  with  bird-songs,  till  the  air 

Enchanted  seemed;  and  all  the  way 

Was  fraught  with  joy  and  pleasures  gay, 

Or,  through  the  shaded  realms  of  woe. 
Where  sad-faced  Grief  walks  to  and  fro  ; 
Where  daisied  mounds,  so  mournful,  tell 
Of  buried  treasures,  loved  so  well ; 
While  plaintive  tones  from  Sorrow's  lyre 
Breathe  dirges  o'er  Love's  funeral  pyre. 

Since  now  have  flown  these  twenty  years 
Of  joys  and  sorrows,  smiles  and  tears. 
My  thoughts  go  tripping  lightly  back 
Along  the  lately  traveled  track — 
With  Memory  leading  them — to  view 
The  verdant  vales  my  feet  passed  through. 

At  Memory's  touch  each  long-closed  door 
Of  by-gone  days,  swings  back  once  more. 
And  through  the  vista  of  the  years 
The  well-worn  Path  of  Life  appears ; 
And  now  I  seem  to  live  again 
The  seasons  past  of  joy  and  pain. 


156. 


I  tread  once  more  the  sunny  way 
Of  Childhood's  bright  and  happy  day, 
When  with  a  heart  so  light  and  free 
I  tripped  along  in  joyous  glee, 
Where  flowers  bloomed  on  every  side. 
And  velvet  turf  stretched  far  and  wide. 

Those  happy,  happy  Childhood  days 
I  leave  once  more,  to  walk  the  ways 
Of  Youth  and  Girlhood,  where  my  feet 
With  rougher  paths  more  often  meet ; 
Yet  pleasures  ever  join  with  pain, 
And  joy-bells  ring  a  glad  refrain. 

Angels  of  Love  and  Friendship  guide 
My  footsteps.     One  on  either  side 
They  stand,  and  try  with  loving  arm 
And  snowy  wing  to  shield  from  harm ; 
When  wounded  sore  by  sorrow's  dart. 
Their  loving  murmurs  cheer  my  heart. 

These  varied  paths  are  fair  and  gay, 

But  I  must  tread  another  way. 

I  stand  upon  the  border-line 

Where  Youth  and  Womanhood  combine  ; 

And  stretching  far  o'er  vale  and  hill 

My  future  path  lies  grey  and  still. 

But  ah  1  this  path  I  cannot  see ; 
Between  that  future  land  and  me 
A  misty  veil  of  cloudy  hue 
Hides  all  the  coming  years  from  view. 
Yet  Fancy  paints,  in  colors  bright, 
A  pathway  full  of  radiant  light. 

Sometimes  a  dreamy  breeze  will  lift 
The  curtain ;  or  through  some  small  rift 
I  seem  to  see  the  coming  years 
Where  all  my  future  path  appears ; 
And  oh  1  it  seems  divinely  fair. 
The  earth,  the  sky,  the  fragrant  air 

Breathe  naught  of  grief.    The  sunbeams  stray 

Lovingly  o'er  the  flower-strewn  way ; 

The  warbling  birds,  the  bright-hued  flowers, 

(Blooming  to  cheer  all  weary  hours,) 

Soft  turf,  and  bubbling  founts  of  joy, 

Seem  pleasures  nothing  can  alloy. 


157. 

And  yet  I  know  the  future  dim 

For  me,  and  all,  holds  sorrows  grim, 

And  that  the  veil  by  Mercy's  hand 

Is  wrought  that  hides  the  unknown  land  ; 

But  I  will  strive  to  be  content 

With  good  or  ill,  whiche'er  is  sent. 

The  second  was  published  in  The  Housekeeper  of  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  October  i,  1889,  viz  : 

EVENING  DREAMS. 

In  the  quieting  hush  of  the  evening 

That  follows  the  close  of  the  day, 
When  the  stars  are  beginning  to  twinkle 

And  daylight  is  fading  away  ; 
I  sit  in  the  glow  of  the  firelight. 

With  baby  at  rest  on  my  knee. 
And  think  what  a  wonderful  treasure 

The  dear  Lord  has  given  to  me. 

My  baby,  my  innocent  baby ! 

As  I  watch  o'er  her  happy  sleep, 
So  restful,  and  rosy,  and  quiet. 

Grave  thoughts  through  my  fancies  creep, 
I  think  of  the  shadowy  pathway 
,  Spread  out  for  her  tiny  feet. 

And  wonder  if  joy  or  sorrow 

It  will  be  her  lot  to  meet. 

Just  as  she  is  we  would  keep  her, 

Rosy  and  dainty  and  bright. 
Making  us  bend  to  her  wishes. 

Filling  the  house  with  light. 
But  no  ;  with  unwavenng  footsteps 

Old  Time  marches  steadily  on, 
And  ere  we  can  quaff  all  its  sweetness 

Her  fair  baby-life  will  be  gone. 

Then  O,  for  a  wisdom  to  guide  her, 

That,  spotless,  her  heart  may  remain  ; 
That  the  life  that  is  opening  before  her 

May  be  noble,  and  not  lived  in  vain. 
May  the  Father  who  tenderly  guards  us, 

With  blessing  our  labors  repay, 
That  the  dear  little  feet  may  not  wander 

Aside  from  His  own  narrow  way. 

The  third  was  published  first  in  The  Interior,  of  Chicago,  III., 
and  afterwards  in  the  Star-Clipper,  Traer,  Iowa,  September  21^ 


158. 

1 888.     It  was  written  to  friends  who  had  lost  an  infant  daughter, 

and  is  headed  : 

BEREAVED. 

Dear  friends,  let  me  tell  you  a  story, 

A  tale  at  once  tender  and  true, 
Of  a  gardener  who  walked  in  his  garden. 

Plucking  flowers  all  sparkling  with  dew. 
He  lovingly  touched  their  bright  petals, 

And  arranged  them  with  tenderest  care, 
For  he  thought,  ah !  how  soon  would  his  garden 

Be  bereft  of  its  beauty  so  rare. 

He  thought  of  the  fast  coming  autumn. 
Chill  winds,  and  the  winter's  deep  snows  ; 

Of  the  frost  that  o'er  each  lovely  garden 
Its  mantle  so  desolate  throws. 

He  stooped  o'er  a  frail,  dainty  blossom. 

That  held  its  bright  tace  to  the  sun  ; 
And  said,  as  he  lovingly  watched  it, 

"  I  can  risk  thee  no  more,  little  one; 
The  others  may  weather  it  longer. 

May  stand  the  rough  winds  for  a  while. 
But  this  tiny  thing  must  be  sheltered 

And  cherished,"  he  said  with  a  smile. 

Then  he  tenderly  loosened  its  rootlets 

From  the  bosom  of  dear  mother  earth, 
And  left  but  a  sense  of  its  absence. 

To  tell  what  its  presence  was  worth. 
So  'twas  sheltered  through  all  the  long  winter 

And  unfolded  its  beauties  so  rare. 
And  felt  not  a  chill  from  the  tempests 

That  raged  in  the  cold  outer  air. 

Even  so  the  kind  heavenly  Gardener 

Sent  down  from  His  Eden  above. 
And  removed  to  His  own  loving  shelter 

Your  blossom  in  infinite  love. 

He  knew  just  what  cold  winds  would  strike  it 

He  knew  just  what  deep  snows  would  fall ; 
And  safe  in  his  own  kind  protection 

He  shelters  it  safe  from  them  all. 
Day  by  day  are  her  beauties  unfolding, 

In  His  care  they  shall  daily  increase, 
And  free  from  all  sorrow  and  suffering 

Her  happiness  never  shall  cease. 


159. 


So,  though  your  sad  hearts  are  so  lonely 

And  dark  seems  your  griel-strieken  way, 
Be  patient  and  trust  in  the  Master, 

He  will  lead  you  at  last  to  the  day. 
And  when  at  the  end  comes  your  summons 

To  pass  the  bright  pearly  gates  through, 
'Mid  the  loved  ones  you  greet  at  the  portal 

She  11  be  watching  and  waiting  for  you. 

For  one  blessed  message  of  comfort 

By  the  Saviour  to  mourning  souls  given. 

One  that  rings  through  the  ages  in  sweetness, 
Is:  "Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven," 


I  copy  the  following  from  our  family  Bible:  "On  October  i8, 
1883,  at  the  residence  of  the  bride's  parents  in  Traer,  Iowa,  by 
Rev.  D.  L.  Hughes  assisted  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Bingham,  D.D.,  was 
married  L.  Williston  Kinney  to  Louisa  E.  Hughes,  youngest 
daughter  of  the  officiating  clergyman,  all  of  Traer,  Iowa."  The 
Star  Clipper  of  Traer,  referring  to  this  event,  said:  "At  11 
o  clock  a.  m.  yesterday,  at  the  residence  of  the  bride's  parents  in 
this  city,  Mr  L.  Williston  Kinney  was  united  in  matrimony  to 
Miss  Louisa  E.  Hughes,  her  father.  Rev.  D.  L.  Hughes,  officiating 
with  the  assistance  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Bingham.  The  marriage  of  two 
such  worthy  persons,  under  such  auspicious  circumstances  and 
with  a  future  outlook  so  bright  is  always  a  source  of  gratification. 
One  of  the  happiest  moments  in  a  young  lady's  or  gentleman's  life 
is  when,  at  the  marriage  altar,  they  vow  before  God  and  men  to  be 
faithful  to  each  other  as  long  as  they  live  ;  and  when  to  the  wit- 
ness of  that  happy,  solemn  act,  there  is  everything  to  indicate  a 
future  of  sunshine  and  joy,  the  event  is  a  most  happy  and  pleasant 
one  to  all.  These  were  some  of  the  things  that  made  the  event  of 
yesterday  an  enjoyable  and  gratifying  one  to  the  thirty  or  forty 
guests  present.  If  true  manhood  and  true  womanhood  furnish  the 
foundation  for  a  successful  career  and  happy  experience  in  this 
world,  then  the  good  wishes  and  congratulatory  predictions  re- 
ceived by  the  married  pair  will,  as  year  succeeds  year,  be  realized. 
It  is  seldom  our  pleasure  to  speak  of  a  more  thorough,  energetic, 
and  honest  gentleman  than  Mr.  Kinney,  while  almost  any  good 
word  spoken  of  the  lady  of  his  choice  would  be  deserving  in  the 


160. 

highest  degree.  She  is  accomph'shed  in  that  higher  and  better 
meaning  which  goes  to  make  a  true  lady.  But  our  home  readers 
all  know  both  the  contracting  parties  and  will  not  hesitate  to  unite 
with  the  Star-Clipper  in  wishing  that  their  future  realizations 
may  be  fraught  with  all  the  happiness  and  all  the  prosperity  that 
characterize  the  present  indications." 

Mr.  Kinney's  full  name  is  Lorenzo  Williston  Kinney.  He  was 
born  at  Norwich,  Vermont,  June  ii,  1847.  His  father's  name  was 
Lorenzo  Child  Kinney.  He  was  born  at  Thetford,  Vermont,  March 
30,  1 8 16,  and  died  March  18,  1888,  at  Norwich,  Vermont,  aged 
sevent)-one  years,  11  months,  and  eighteen  days.  He  was  married 
October  10,  1842,  to  Sophia  F.  Strong,  at  Haverhill,  New  Hamp- 
shire. She  was  born  April  i,  18 17,  and  died  at  Norwich,  Vermont, 
November  10  1878,  aged  sixty-one  years,  seven  months,  and  nine 
days.  The  education  of  Mr.  L.  W.  Kinney  was  confined  to  the 
District  school  in  Vermont,  and  to  private  instruction  at  home — for 
his  father  sometimes  hired  a  teacher  in  the  house.  At  the  time  of 
his  marriage  he  was  a  successful  merchant  in  the  coal  and  lumber 
business,  at  Traer,  Iowa.  After  Mrs.  Hughes's  death,  and  my  own 
removal  from  Iowa,  he  sold  out  his  business  at  Traer,  and  with  his 
family  removed  to  a  warmer  climate.  He  settled  in  Lake  Charles, 
the  beautiful  and  growing  county  seat  of  Calcasieu  parish,  in  South 
Western  Louisiana.  He  and  his  family  now  reside  there  in  their 
own  new  house,  own  an  excellent  farm  near  town,  and  have  made 
several  other  good  investments.  He  is  attending  to  a  variety  of 
business,  but  is  meeting  with  success  in  the  cultivation  of  fruit. 
He  is  a  man  of  great  industry,  of  unbending  integrity,  and  of  strict 
conscientiousness.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
Church  at  Traer,  Iowa,  and  a  leader  of  its  choir  for  three  or  four 
years,  and  the  chorister  in  its  Sabbath  School  for  six  or  seven 
years.  He  and  his  wife  united  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  that 
was  lately  organized  at  Lake  Charles,  and  both  have  been  very 
efficient  workers  in  it  from  its  beginning  until  now,  in  helping  ad- 
vance both  its  material  and  spiritual  inrerests.  His  wife  teaches 
in  its  Sabbath  School  as  she  formerly  did  in  one  at  Traer,  Iowa, 
and  he  is  the  leader  of  the  choir  both  in  the  church  and  Sabbath 
School,  and  has  also  been  elected  one  of  the  Ruling  Elders  of  the 
church. 


161. 

The  children  of  L.  Williston  and  Louisa  E.  Kinney  are,  ist, 
Florence  Lucile  Kinney.  She  was  born  January  15,  1885,  at 
Traer,  Iowa,  She  is  a  nice  and  well  behaved  little  girl,  quite 
healthy,  and  is  improving  in  all  her  studies.  2d,  Herbert  Hughes 
Kinney.  He  was  born  July  15,  1888,  at  Lake  Charles,  Louisiana. 
He  is  a  sturdy,  independent  boy — a  great  climber,  jumper,  and 
talker.  He  is  healthy,  good  natured,  and  happy.  3rd.  Anna 
Harrington  Kinney.  She  was  born  April  20,  1891,  at  Lake 
Charles,  Louisiana.  She  is  named  after  her  aunt,  Anna  Harrington, 
Vinton^  Iowa.  Under  date  of  May  10,  1891,  Mrs.  L.  E.  K.  writes  : 
'•  We  have  a  nice  baby,  so  pretty,  healthy  and  strong."  And  we 
hope  she  will  be  spared  to  be  a  comfort  and  a  blessing  to  her 
parents  and  friends,  to  the  church  and  the  world. 

The  children  of  Rev.  Daniel  L.  and  Elmira  W.  Hughes  are  eight, 
and  their  grand-children  are  fifteen.  Total  number,  twenty  three. 
May  we  all,  at  last,  through  God's  grace  to  us  in  Christ  Jesus, 
be  found  among  the  "  Blessed,  which  are  called  unto  the  mar- 
riage supper  of  the  Lamb." 

Thus  end  the  genealogical  and  historical  records  of  all  our 
relatives,  in  regular  order,  from  our  Great  Grand  Fathers  in 
1 7 II,  171 8,  and  1745  down  to  my  own  last  grand-daughter,  born 
April  20,  1891.  A  "few"  have  proven  themselves  unworthy  of 
their  noble  and  pious  ancestors ;  but  the  "  many  "  have  honored 
them,  and  proved  the  faithfulness  of  the  Divine  Covenant,  by  their 
honest  industry,  fidelty  in  their  family  relationships,  and  above  all 
by  their  excellent  Christian  character,  as  those  who  were  the  true 
followers  of  Jesus,  and  earnest  workers  in  his  blessed  cause.  May 
all  their  descendants  ever  strive  to  "  go  and  do  likewise."  To  each 
and  all,  in  conclusion,  I  say  : — 

"  If  you  wish  to  reach  Heaven,  strive  hard,  strive  hard, 

If  you  wish  to  reach  Heaven,  strive  hard  ; 
Nor  the  conflict  shun  till  the  victory's  won, 

And  you  gain  the  eternal  reward. 
Be  holy  within,  and  keep  spotless  from  sin, 

Through  the  grace  which  in  Jesus  is  given  ;  ^^ 

Then,  near  to  the  throne,  you  shall  claim  as  your  own, 

A  crown,  and  a  palace  in  Heaven." 

FINIS» 


